Scale for an intermodal freight container

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is to a scale for measuring a weight of a mass inside of an intermodal freight container. The scale includes a first bottom side rail, a second bottom side rail, a first cross-member and a second cross-member, where the cross-members join the first bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail. The scale further includes a jointed member having a first elongate section joined to the first bottom side rail with a first hinge, a second elongate section joined to the second bottom side rail with a second hinge, and a third hinge that connects the first elongate section and the second elongate section. A container floor is positioned over the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the container floor to be transferred through the hinges into a first lateral force through the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail, where a load cell associated with the first bottom side rail provides an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass. A microprocessor receives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cell indicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freight container.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a scale; morespecifically to a scale for weighing a mass inside of a container suchas an intermodal freight container.

BACKGROUND

In the intermodal shipping industry, the International Organization forStandardization (ISO) intermodal freight container is the most widelyused device to move goods. The ISO publishes and maintains standards forintermodal freight containers. These ISO standards for intermodalfreight containers help provide that each intermodal freight containerhas similar physical properties. Examples of these physical propertiesinclude, but are not limited to, width, height, depth, base, maximumload, and shape of the intermodal freight containers.

The most common intermodal freight containers are either 20 feet inlength or 40 feet in length, all of which are 8 feet in width, with somebeing 8 feet 6 inches in height with some being 9 feet 6 inches inheight. In those countries where the road systems are quite developed,it is common to find even longer “swap body” intermodal freightcontainers of 45 foot and 53 foot in length. Regardless of length, allgeneral purpose dry, intermodal freight containers are limited to amaximum gross weight of 67,400 pounds (30,572 kg), a Maximum Gross Massvalue that is subject to change, where the actual weight of anintermodal freight container along with its contents is reported on a“bill of lading.”

Regardless of this requirement, the weight of an intermodal freightcontainer is often times inaccurate or misdeclared, either deliberatelyor because of inaccurate weighing systems. Regardless of the reason, themisdeclared weight of an intermodal freight container can be an issuefor a customer's cargo, the intermodal freight container carrying thecargo, the ship carrying the intermodal freight container, and/or thepeople who handle and transport the cargo. For example, there are atleast two major issues that can arise if an intermodal freight containeris overweight. First, the overweight intermodal freight container cancause safety concerns. ISO intermodal freight container handlingequipment is designed to meet global standards based around a maximumgross weight. Intermodal freight containers that exceed this maximumgross weight can cause issues to both the equipment and the people whohandle the intermodal freight containers. In addition, the overweightintermodal freight container avoids fees, taxes and tariffs, which canbe substantial. Another issue is when an intermodal freight container isunder weight, as the operator responsible for balancing the entirevessel may be counting on a certain weight that is not present to keep avessel in balance.

Changes that went into effect globally in July of 2016 make it mandatoryfor the shipper to verify the gross weight of an intermodal freightcontainer using one of two methods: weighing the entire loadedintermodal freight container using calibrated and certified equipment orusing a “calculated weight” method. The latter involves weighing theindividual packages, plus dunnage and other such items and adding thistotal to the tare weight of the empty intermodal freight container. Acertificate of weight will need to be provided.

Although the shipper has the primary responsibility of providing thiscertificate of weight, other parties must now also ensure that weightshave been properly verified and for making that information availableprior to ships being loaded. With the terminal operator being the lastline of defense against a misdeclared intermodal freight container, theterminal operator will need to verify the accuracy of the declaredweight of an intermodal freight container. This requirement to weigh theintermodal freight container at the port adds an enormous task to thealready congested and time constrained terminal operation. Many in theindustry argue that this check prior to loading is too late and freightcontainers should not be allowed to leave distribution centers orfulfillment houses without proper weight verification.

There is a need in the art, therefore, for weighing and verifying theweight of the mass inside of an intermodal freight container withouthaving to move the intermodal freight container.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure can provide for weighing and verifying the weightof the mass inside of an intermodal freight container without having tomove the intermodal freight container. To this end, the presentdisclosure provides a scale for measuring a weight of a mass inside ofan intermodal freight container. The scale includes a first bottom siderail of the intermodal freight container and a second bottom side railof the intermodal freight container, each of the first bottom side railand the second bottom side rail having a longitudinal axis parallel toeach other; a first cross-member and a second cross-member, where thefirst cross-member and the second cross-member join the first bottomside rail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodal freightcontainer; a jointed member positioned longitudinally between the firstcross-member and the second cross-member and laterally, relative thelongitudinal axis, between the first bottom side rail and the secondbottom side rail, the jointed member having: a first elongate sectionhaving a first member end and a second member end, where the firstmember end is joined to first bottom side rail with a first hinge, wherethe first hinge has a fixed axis of rotation relative to and parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the first bottom side rail; a secondelongate section having a first member end and a second member end,where the first member end is joined to second bottom side rail with asecond hinge, where the second hinge has a fixed axis of rotation thatis co-planar with the fixed axis of rotation of the first hinge andparallel with the longitudinal axes of the first bottom side rail andthe second bottom side rail; and a third hinge that connects the secondmember end of the first elongate section and the second member end ofthe second elongate section, where the third hinge has an axis ofrotation that is parallel with the fixed axis of rotation of the firsthinge and the fixed axis of rotation of the second hinge; a load cellassociated with the first bottom side rail; a container floor positionedover the jointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on thecontainer floor having the jointed member in the first predeterminedstate to be transferred through the third hinge, the first hinge and thesecond hinge into a first lateral force, relative the force from theweight of the mass, through the first member end of the first elongatesection into the first bottom side rail, where the load cell provides anelectrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateralforce being imparted by the weight of the mass, where the firstcross-member and the second cross-member help to hold the first bottomside rail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodal freightcontainer in static equilibrium against the first lateral force beingimparted by the weight of the mass; and a controller having amicroprocessor and memory, instructions stored in the memory andexecutable by the microprocessor, and a power source for the operationof the microprocessor and the load cell, where the microprocessorreceives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cellindicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freightcontainer.

The first member end can include a first L-beam and the second memberend can include a second L-beam, the first L-beam and the second L-beamextending parallel with the first bottom side rail and the second bottomside rail, and where the first hinge joins the first member end of thefirst elongate section along a first face of the first L-beam to thefirst bottom side rail and the second hinge joins the first member endof the second elongate section along a first face of the second L-beamto the second bottom side rail. Other beam shapes, as discussed herein,are possible. A second face of the first L-beam can transfer the firstlateral force to the load cell associated with at least the first bottomside rail.

The load cells can be located in a variety of places on the scale. Forexample, the load cell in one embodiment is contained within the firstbottom side rail of the container. The scale can also include two ormore load cells. For example, the scale can further include a secondload cell associated with the second bottom side rail, where force fromthe weight of the mass on the container floor having the jointed memberin the first predetermined state is transferred through the third hinge,the first hinge and the second hinge into a second lateral force,relative the force from the weight of the mass, through the secondmember end of the second elongate section into the second bottom siderail, where the second load cell provides an electrical signal whosemagnitude is representative of the second lateral force being impartedby the weight of the mass, where the first cross-member and the secondcross-member help to hold the first bottom side rail and the secondbottom side rail of the intermodal freight container in staticequilibrium against the second lateral force being imparted by theweight of the mass; and where the power source allows for the operationof the microprocessor and the second load cell, and where themicroprocessor receives and stores in memory the electrical signal fromthe second load cell indicating the weight of the mass inside of theintermodal freight container.

For the third hinge, the first elongate section of the jointed memberincludes a first surface defining a first obround opening, the secondelongate section includes a second surface defining a second obroundopening and the third hinge includes a fastener passing through thefirst obround opening and the second obround opening to connect thefirst elongate section and the second elongate section, where thefastener in a first predetermined state has a longitudinal axis that isoffset from but parallel with the fixed axis of rotation of the firsthinge and the fixed axis of rotation of the second hinge. The firstelongate section can further include a first abutment member oppositethe first member end, and the second elongate section can furtherinclude a second abutment member opposite the second member end, wherein the first predetermined state the first abutment member and thesecond abutment are in physical contact and a portion of the firstsurface and a portion of the second surface are in physical contact withthe fastener to transfer the force from the weight of the mass on thecontainer floor having the jointed member in the first predeterminedstate through the first hinge, the second hinge and the fastener intothe first lateral force. In one embodiment, the first abutment memberand the second abutment member form an abutment joint, where: the firstabutment member has a projection that extends from first abutment membershoulders of the first abutment member, the projection having a distalend from which a first surface and a second surface extend towards thefirst abutment member shoulders at an acute angle; and where the secondabutment member has a socket into which the projection of the firstabutment member releasably seats, the socket having a first surface anda second surface that extend away from a first end of the secondabutment member at an acute angle and the first end of the secondabutment member includes second abutment member shoulders that extendsfrom the socket such that when the projection of the first abutmentmember seats in the socket of the second abutment member the secondsurface of the projection and the second surface of the socket touch,and the second abutment member shoulders and the first abutment membershoulders touch.

For the scale, an upper surface of the first cross-member and the secondcross-member that is closest to the container flooring is located at avertical position on the first bottom side rail and the second bottomside rail that is offset from an upper surface of the first elongatesection and the second elongate section. This allows for a situationwhere the container floor does not contact the first cross-member andthe second cross-member joining the first bottom side rail and thesecond bottom side rail of the intermodal freight container. Otherembodiments where the container floor does contact the firstcross-member and the second cross-member joining the first bottom siderail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodal freight containerare also possible and discussed herein.

In one embodiment, the first cross-member and the second cross-memberare not joined to a hinge or form a part of a hinge with the firstbottom side rail and the second bottom side rail, respectively, of theintermodal freight container. In an alternative embodiment, the firstcross-member and the second cross-member are joined to a hinge or form apart of a hinge with the first bottom side rail and the second bottomside rail, respectively, of the intermodal freight container.

In certain embodiments, the first obround opening and the second obroundopening of the third hinge can move relative each other and the fasteneras the jointed member transitions from the first predetermined statetowards a second predetermined state. These embodiments include when thejointed member is used in reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainers, as discussed herein. For example, the first obround openingand the second obround opening can move relative each other and thefastener as the jointed member transitions from the first predeterminedstate having a minimum overlap of the first obround opening and thesecond obround opening and the projection of the first abutment memberis seated in the socket of the second abutment member towards the secondpredetermined state having a maximum overlap of the first obroundopening and the second obround opening relative the minimum overlap andthe projection of the first abutment member un-seated from the socket ofthe second abutment member. The advantage of using this embodiment ofthe third hinge is that in the first predetermined state a distancebetween the first member end of the first elongate section and thesecond member end of the second elongate section provides a definedmaximum length of the jointed member, where the distance between thefirst member end of the first elongate section and the second member endof the second elongate section does not exceed a defined maximum lengthas jointed member transitions from the first predetermined state towardsthe second predetermined state. This advantage is achieved by having thefirst abutment member and the second abutment member define a firstpoint of rotation for the first elongate section and the second elongatesection; and a second end of both the first surface and the secondsurface, when positioned against the fastener, define a second point ofrotation for the first abutment member and the second abutment memberthat is different than the first point of rotation, where the firstelongate section and the second elongate section turn on the first pointof rotation prior to turning on the second point of rotation as thejointed member transitions from the first predetermined state towardsthe second predetermined state. This change in point of rotation happensas the first elongate section and the second elongate section sliderelative each other, which allows for a change in the length of ahypotenuse (as discussed herein) of the jointed member as the thirdhinge fold or unfolds, thereby preventing damage to the jointed member,associated hinges and structures.

The scale of the present disclosure can be used with a number ofdifferent containers. For example, an intermodal freight containerincludes the scale of the present disclosure. In an additionalembodiment, a reversibly foldable intermodal freight container includesthe scale of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a scale for an intermodalfreight container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,where portions of the intermodal freight container have been removed toshow detail.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of bottom side rails,elongate sections and hinges of a jointed member according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3D are perspective views of a third hinge and portions of thethird hinge for the jointed member of the scale according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the third hinge of the jointed member thatincludes the first elongate section, the second elongate section and theabutment joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an intermodal freight container thatincludes the scale of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a perspective view of a reversibly foldableintermodal freight container that includes the scale of the presentdisclosure, where portions of the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer have been removed to show detail.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a side view of the jointed member transitioningfrom a first predetermined state towards the second predetermined statewithout the jointed member extending beyond its defined maximum length,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the jointed member in the second predeterminedstate, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer that includes the scale of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a front wall of the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate a rear wall of the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a controller for the scale according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

The illustrations in the figures are not necessarily to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein a “scale” is defined as an instrument or a machine forweighing a mass to provide a weight, where the weight of the mass istaken to be the force on the mass due to gravity. Typically, a scale inweighing a mass counter-balances the mass in the opposite or in the samedirection of gravity. Using this approach, one can imaging adding a“scale” to a container, such as an intermodal freight containercompliant with ISO standards, in which a 40 foot long 8 foot wide“bathroom scale” is added to the floor structure. However, to get a goodweight reading using this configuration, the floor structure of theintermodal freight container would need to be significantly stiffen byeither adding more cross members or using cross members of considerablymore weight between the side rails to create a rigid surface and thenplace a number of load cells onto this now stiffer structure and let thewood floor sit atop the load cells. This means not affixing the toplayer of wood to the rigid structure. This new floating structure wouldneed to made sturdier and stiffer, adding weight and consumingadditional container volume. Nonetheless this giant “bathroom scale”would need to be attached to the rigid sub-assembly by some means thatwould keep the floating floor from coming apart from the container.Additionally, springs would likely be need between the two structures tolet the load cells do their work. The numerous load cells would beelectronically or mechanically interconnected to sum the readings togive an accurate total weight. In another embodiment, one could separatethe wood sections into weighing zones, and provide zone weights. Ineither case, the summed information would provide the accurate weight ofthe contents sitting on the floor. This information can be thendisplayed locally electronically, or transmitted wirelessly to anynetwork as desired, as discussed herein.

In a more preferred approach, embodiments of the present disclosureprovide for a scale for a container, such as an intermodal freightcontainer, that includes a scale according to the present disclosure.The scale of the present disclosure can weigh a mass on the containerflooring of the intermodal freight container. The scale is positionedunder a container flooring of the intermodal freight container thatallows the weight of the mass in the intermodal freight container to bemeasured separate from the gross weight of the intermodal freightcontainer. In addition, positioning the scale under the containerflooring also allows for the weight of the mass in the intermodalfreight container to be measured in any number of places, such as whenthe intermodal freight container is on the ground, positioned on atractor trailer, on a ship or suspended by a lift, among other places.

The design of the scale of the present disclosure also allows for it tobe retrofitted into existing containers, such as intermodal freightcontainers compliant with ISO standards, without changing the height orconfiguration of the container flooring of the container. Retrofittingthe scale of the present disclosure into an existing intermodal freightcontainer can include removing a portion of the container flooring andreplacing one or more of the cross members of the intermodal freightcontainer with a jointed member of the present disclosure, as will bediscussed herein.

As discussed herein, in operation the jointed member transfers a portionof the force from the weight of the mass sitting on the container floorinto a transvers force that extends through the jointed member to theside rails of the container. This is accomplished by the jointed memberhaving two elongate sections that are joined at a first end to the siderails with a first hinge and a second hinge, respectively, and at asecond end to each other using a third hinge. This series of hingesallows for the portion of the force caused by the mass sitting on thecontainer floor to be re-directed into the transvers force that extendsthrough the jointed member to the side rails of the container. A loadcell is located in and/or on a side rail in the area adjacent to thefirst end of the elongate section. The load cell receives the transverseforce passing through the joined member and produces an electricalsignal that is directly proportional to the weight of the mass on thefloor of the container.

Once retrofitted into an existing container (e.g., an intermodal freightcontainer compliant with ISO standards), the portion of the containerflooring is repositioned and re-secured over the jointed member of thescale. In this way existing intermodal freight containers can quicklyand effectively be fitted with a scale to measure the weight of a masssitting on the container flooring of the container. The intermodalfreight container mentioned above is an example of any number ofnon-foldable containers that the scale of the present disclosure can beused with. In another example, the scale of the present disclosure canbe used with a reversibly foldable intermodal freight container, asdiscussed herein.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” areused interchangeably. The term “and/or” means one, one or more, or allof the listed items. The recitations of numerical ranges by endpointsinclude all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1,1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.). The figures herein follow anumbering convention in which the first digit or digits correspond tothe drawing figure number and the remaining digits identify an elementin the drawing. Similar elements between different figures may beidentified by the use of similar digits. For example, 354 may referenceelement “54” in FIG. 3, and a similar element may be referenced as 1454in FIG. 14. It is emphasized that the purpose of the figures is toillustrate and the figures are not intended to be limiting in any way.The figures herein may not be to scale and relationships of elements inthe figures may be exaggerated. The figures are employed to illustrateconceptual structures and methods herein described.

Angle measurements discussed herein are measured as either acute angles(angles smaller than 90 degrees (less than 90°) or obtuse angles (anglesgreater than 90° but less than 180°) where the measurements of thesurfaces discussed herein are taken so as to exclude values that arereflex angles (those angles from 180° to 360°).

The present disclosure provides for a scale for measuring a weight of amass inside of an intermodal freight container. In describing the scalethe following discussion will reference several figures that takentogether form embodiments of the present invention. Due to the level ofdetail, the scale is illustrated and described using a series of Figuresthat best illustrate the portion of the scale that is being described.As discussed below, FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a sub-floor of theintermodal freight container that lies beneath the container flooring,where the sub-floor is shown with a jointed member of the scale. FIG. 2illustrates a cut-away view of a portion of the sub-floor, where thelocation of the load cell and the associated electronics areillustrated. FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate an embodiment of the third hinge ofthe scale. FIG. 4 provides an illustration of the third hinge of thejoined member of the scale in a first predetermined position. Finally,FIG. 5 illustrates an intermodal freight container in an exploded viewwith a cut-away of the container flooring to show the jointed member andcross-members of the sub-floor.

The embodiments illustrated and discussed for FIGS. 1-5 are directed tousing the scale of the present disclosure in a traditional intermodalfreight container (e.g., an intermodal freight container that complieswith ISO standards). The scale of the present disclosure can beintegrated into the intermodal freight container during theirconstruction (e.g., new construction) or the scale can be “retrofitted”into an existing intermodal freight container.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a portion of a sub-floorof the intermodal freight container that lies beneath the containerflooring, where the sub-floor is shown with a jointed member of thescale. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the scale 100 for measuringa weight of a mass inside of the intermodal freight container. The scale100 includes a first bottom side rail 102 and a second bottom side rail104, where each of the first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottomside rail 104 have a longitudinal axis 106 parallel to each other. Thescale 100 further includes one or more of a cross-member 108, where thecross-member 108 join the first bottom side rail 102 and the secondbottom side rail 104 of the intermodal freight container. Asillustrated, the sub-floor of the intermodal freight container seen inFIG. 1 includes a first cross-member 108-1 and a second cross-member108-2, where using more than two of the cross-members 108 is possible.

The scale 100 further includes a jointed member 112. As illustrated inthe present embodiment, the jointed member 112 is positionedlongitudinally between two of the cross-members 108-1 and 108-2 andlaterally, relative the longitudinal axis 106, between the first bottomside rail 102 and the second bottom side rail 104. The jointed member112 includes a first elongate section 114 having a first member end 116and a second member end 118. The first member end 116 is joined to firstbottom side rail 102 with a first hinge 120. The first hinge 120 has afixed axis of rotation relative to and parallel with the longitudinalaxis 106 of the first bottom side rail 102. The joined member 112further includes a second elongate section 122 having a first member end124 and a second member end 126. The first member end 124 is joined tosecond bottom side rail 104 with a second hinge 128. The second hinge128 has a fixed axis of rotation that is co-planar with the fixed axisof rotation of the first hinge 120 and parallel with the longitudinalaxes 106 of the first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottom siderail 104.

The first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottom side rail 104 canhave a variety of configurations. For example, the first bottom siderail 102 and the second bottom side rail 104 can have a polygonaltubular configuration, such as a length of square tubular or a length ofrectangular tubing. Alternatively, the first bottom side rail 102 andthe second bottom side rail 104 can have a contiguous solid structure.The first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottom side rail 104 couldalso have a planar truss and/or a space truss configuration.

The first hinge 120 and the second hinge 128 can take a variety offorms. For example, the first hinge 120 and the second hinge 128 can bein the form of a barrel hinge, a piano hinge, an overlay hinge or a butthinge. A first leaf of each of the first hinge 120 and the second hinge128 can be joined to the first bottom side rail 102 and the secondbottom side rail 104, respectively, using welding techniques (e.g.,shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding, submerged arcwelding, among others). Similarly, the second leaf of each of the firsthinge 120 and the second hinge 128 can be joined to the first elongatesection 114 and the second elongate section 122, respectively, using thewelding techniques discussed herein. Mechanical fasteners can also beused to join the first hinge 120 and the second hinge 128 to thestructures as described herein, where such mechanical fasteners include,but are not limited to, rivets and/or bolts that use a nut, among otherfasteners. The cross-members 108 can be continuous structures that arejoined to the first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottom side rail104, respectively, using the welding techniques discussed herein. Thecross-members 108 can have a square or rectangular cross-section and betubular or solid.

A third hinge 130 connects the second member end 118 of the firstelongate section 114 and the second member end 126 of the secondelongate section 122. The third hinge 130 has an axis of rotation thatis parallel with the fixed axis of rotation of the first hinge 120 andthe fixed axis of rotation of the second hinge 128. The third hinge 130can be positioned approximately at the mid-point of the overall lengthof the joined member 112. For the scale 100, the series of hinges (e.g.,the first hinge 120, second hinge 128 and third hinge 130) allows eachof the first elongate section 114 and the second elongate section 122 totransfers a portion of the force caused by a mass sitting on thecontainer floor into a transvers force that extends through the jointedmember to the side rails of the container.

The third hinge 130 can be located at any number of vertical positions165 on the jointed member 112. For example, the third hinge 130 can bepositioned along the upper surface 169 of the first elongate section 114and the second elongate section 122. Alternatively, the third hinge 130can be positioned along a lower surface (opposite the upper surface 169)of the first elongate section 114 and the second elongate section 122.Finally, the third hinge 130 can be positioned between the upper surface169 and the lower surface of the first elongate section 114 and thesecond elongate section 122, an embodiment which will be describedherein.

The third hinge 130 can have a variety of forms. For example, the thirdhinge 130 can be in the form of a barrel hinge, a piano hinge, anoverlay hinge or a butt hinge. A first leaf of the third hinge 130 canbe joined to the second end 118 of the first elongate section 114 whilethe second leaf of the third hinge 130 can be joined to the second end126 of the second elongate section 122, respectively, using weldingtechniques (e.g., shielded metal arc welding, gas metal arc welding,submerged arc welding, among others). The third hinge 130 can also be inthe form of a “jointed member” where embodiments of this jointed memberare discussed herein and also in PCT publications WO 2013/025663 and WO2014/028000, which are both incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. Embodiments of the third hinge 130 in the form of the jointedmember are discussed below.

As seen in FIG. 1, the scale 100 of the present disclosure has anarticulating structure having two (2) edge pivot points (e.g., the firsthinge 120 and the second hinge 128) and a center pivot (e.g., the thirdhinge 130). The statics and dynamics of this three pivot point systemtake the vertical mass sitting on the floor and directs the force causedby the mass laterally against the side rail, and with the static crossmembers being of fixed length keeping the side rails from expandingbeyond desired limits one or more load cells can be mounted within theside rails and, or at the center pivot to measure the weight of themass.

FIG. 1 also illustrates an embodiment of the scale 100 in which an uppersurface 163 of the first cross-member 108-1 and the second cross-member108-2 closest to the container flooring is located at a verticalposition 165 on the first bottom side rail 102 and the second bottomside rail 104 that is offset 167 from an upper surface 163 of the firstelongate section 114 and the second elongate section 122. For example,as illustrated the upper surface 163 of the first cross-member 108-1 andthe second cross-member 108-2 closest to the container flooring is belowthe upper surface 169 of the first elongate section 114 and the secondelongate section 122. This configuration allows for an embodiment inwhich the container floor does not contact the first cross-member andthe second cross-member joining the first bottom side rail and thesecond bottom side rail of the intermodal freight container.Alternatively, the relative positions of the upper surface 163 of thefirst cross-members and the upper surface 169 of the first elongatesection 114 and the second elongate section 122 can at least bepartially in contact with the container flooring such that the containerflooring can contact only the upper surface 169 of the first elongatesection 114 and the second elongate section 122 when there is no masspresent in the intermodal freight container, but as mass is added ontothe container flooring the jointed member 112 can deflect so as to allowthe container floor to come into contact with the upper surface 163 ofthe cross-members (e.g., the first cross-member 108-1 and the secondcross-member 108-2). It is also possible that no offset 167 is presentso that the container floor is in contact with the upper surface 163 ofthe cross-members 108 and the upper surface 169 of the first elongatesection 114 and the second elongate section 122.

As noted above, FIG. 1 illustrates only a portion of a sub-floor of theintermodal freight container that lies beneath the container flooring.FIG. 1 also provides an illustration with two of the cross-members 108.It is understood that the sub-floor of the intermodal freight containerthat lies beneath the container flooring can include more than two ofthe cross-members 108 that join the first bottom side rail 102 and thesecond bottom side rail 104 of the intermodal freight container. Forexample, a typical 40 foot intermodal freight container can include upto twelve (12) of the cross-members 108. As discussed herein, at leastone of these cross-members 108 can be removed and replaced with thejointed member 112 to form an embodiment of the scale of the presentdisclosure. In an additional embodiment, two or more of thecross-members 108 can be removed and replaced with the jointed member112 to form an embodiment of the scale of the present disclosure.

For the various embodiments, the static interaction of the cross-members108 with the jointed member 112, under a compressive force, allow thesub-floor to be of sufficient strength to carry mass inside theintermodal freight container (e.g., as prescribed in ISO standard 1496).

As discussed herein, when two or more of the jointed members 112 areused in the intermodal freight container, each of the jointed members112 can be used with the other jointed members 112 to provide a totalweight of the mass positioned on the container flooring of theintermodal freight container. Each of the jointed members 112 can alsobe used separately from the other joined members 112 to provide a weightof a mass in a predefined area of the container flooring of theintermodal freight container. These and other embodiments will bediscussed more fully herein.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional view of a portion of the first bottomside rail 202, the first elongate section 214 and the first hinge 220 ofthe jointed member 212 along with a portion of the second bottom siderail 204, the second elongate section 222 and the second hinge 228 ofthe jointed member 212. As illustrated, each of the first bottom siderail 202 and the second bottom side rail 204 has a polygonal tubularcross section. The first bottom side rail 202 and the second bottom siderail 204 each span a length of the intermodal freight container wherethey can be joined to the corner fittings of the intermodal freightcontainer.

Each of the first elongate section 214 and the second elongate section222 can further include an L-beam (also known as “angle”). Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the first member end 216 includes a first L-beam232 and the second member end 226 includes a second L-beam 234. Thefirst L-beam 232 and the second L-beam 234 extend parallel with thefirst bottom side rail 202 and the second bottom side rail 204,respectively, approximately the width of the respective elongate section214 and 222. The first L-beam 232 and the second L-beam 234 can alsoextend down along a portion or the complete height of the respectiveelongate section 214 and 222. The first L-beam 232 and the second L-beam234 can be joined to their respective elongate section (214 and 222) by,for example, the welding techniques discussed herein.

In an additional embodiment, instead of an L-beam each of the firstelongate section 214 and the second elongate section 222 can furtherinclude a C-beam (also known as “structural channel”) that extendsparallel with the first bottom side rail 202 and the second bottom siderail 204, respectively, approximately the width of the respectiveelongate section 214 and 222. The C-beam can extend down the completeheight of the respective elongate section 214 and 222 with the flangesof the C-beam extend along the length of the first elongate section 214and the second elongate section 222 to position the first end and thesecond end of the “C” (the ends of the flanges) closer to the firstmember end 116 or 124 than the second member end 118 or 126. In anotherembodiment, each of the first elongate section 214 and the secondelongate section 222 can further include a hollow structural section(e.g., a hollow rectangular tube cross-section or hollow square tubecross-section). For this embodiment, the hollow structural sectionextends parallel with the first bottom side rail 202 and the secondbottom side rail 204, respectively, approximately the width and theheight of the respective elongate section 214 and 222. The C-beam and/orthe hollow structural section can be joined to their respective elongatesection (214 and 222) by, for example, the welding techniques discussedherein.

As illustrated, the L-beam is shown having flanges that areapproximately ninety (90) degrees to each other (as measured from theinterior surfaces of the beam). Similarly, the C-beam and the hollowstructural section can have adjacent flanges and/or adjacent sides thatare approximately ninety (90) degrees to each other (as measured fromthe interior surfaces of the beam or hollow structural section). In anadditional embodiment, the angles of the adjacent sides or flangesdirectly adjacent to the first bottom side rail 202 and the secondbottom side rail 204 can be different than 90 degrees. For example, theflanges or sides extending from the surface of either the L-beam, C-beamor hollow structural section that touches the bottom side rail 202 or204 can form a first angle with a value of 90 to 45 degrees (as measuredfrom the interior surfaces of the beam or hollow structural section)while a second angle has a value of 90 to 135 degrees (as measured fromthe interior surfaces of the beam or hollow structural section). Thislatter embodiment allows for the surface of either the L-beam, C-beam orhollow structural section that touches the bottom side rail 202 or 204to have a “wedge” shape, which can help to isolate and focus the lateralforce into a smaller relative area for easier capture and detection bythe load cell.

As illustrated, the first hinge 220 joins the first member end 216 ofthe first elongate section 214 along a first face 236 of the firstL-beam 232 to the first bottom side rail 202. Similarly, the secondhinge 228 joins the first member end 224 of the second elongate section222 along a first face 238 of the second L-beam 234 to the second bottomside rail 204. Each of the first L-beam 232 and the second L-beam 234also have a second face 240-1 and 240-2 that can be used to transfer alateral force 241-1 to a load cell 242.

FIG. 2 illustrates the load cell 242-1 associated with the first bottomside rail 202. As illustrated, the load cell 242-1 is positioned atleast partially within the tubular body of the first bottom side rail202. A portion of the load cell 242-1 is joined (e.g., welded or bolted)to the first bottom side rail 202 in an area directly adjacent to thefirst member end 216 of the first elongate section 214. The load cell242-1 can be located and joined to the first bottom side rail 202 insuch a way that the load cell 242-1 can detect distortions in the firstbottom side rail 202 from the first lateral force 241-1, as discussedherein, being applied through the first member end of the first elongatesection into the first bottom side rail. In one embodiment, the loadcell 242-1 is joined to the first bottom side rail 202 directly adjacentthe first member end of the first elongate section. In an alternative,only a portion of the load cell 242-1 is joined to the first bottom siderail 202 directly adjacent the first member end of the first elongatesection. The load cell 242-1 can be joined directly to the first bottomside rail 202. Alternatively, the first bottom side rail 202 can includea holder on to or into which the load cell 242-1 is mounted to allow itto detect the distortions in the first bottom side rail 202 from thefirst lateral force 241-1.

In an alternative embodiment, the load cell 242-1 is positioned with atleast a portion of the load cell passing through an opening 246 in thefirst bottom side rail 202. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a sensing portion244 (e.g., a mass button) of the load cell 242-1 passes through anopening 246 in the first bottom side rail 202. The sensing portion 244can project past the inner surface 248-1 of the first bottom side rail202 where it makes contact with the second face 240-1 of the firstL-beam 232. In that way, the second face 240-1 of the first L-beam 232transfers the first lateral force 241-1 to the load cell associated withat least the first bottom side rail.

The load cell 242-1 can be a strain gauge load cell that includes atransducer that creates an electrical signal that is proportional to theforce being measured. The electrical signal from the load cell 242-1 canbe calibrated and standardized to a variety of different predeterminedweight values (e.g., standardized weight values) that could be presentdue to a mass on the floor of the intermodal freight container. The loadcell 242-1 can have a number of different shapes and configurations.Examples include, but are not limited to, a shear beam configuration, acompression load cell or an S-type load cell, among others. In oneembodiment, the compression load cell or the S-type load cell can bemounted inside the first side beam 202 with the sensing portion 244 ofthe load cell 242-1 passing through the opening 246 in the first sidebeam 202.

FIG. 2 also provides a cross-sectional view of a container floor 250positioned over the jointed member 212, which allows force 252 from aweight of a mass 254 on the container floor 250 having the jointedmember 212 in the first predetermined state to be transferred throughthe third hinge (not shown), the first hinge 220 and the second hinge228 into the first lateral force 241-1, relative the force 252 from theweight of the mass 254. As discussed herein, the first lateral force241-1 passes through the first member end 216 of the first elongatesection 214 into the first bottom side rail 202 and the load cell 242-1.The load cell 242-1 provides an electrical signal whose magnitude isrepresentative of the first lateral 242-1 force being imparted by theweight of the mass. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first cross-member andthe second cross-member help to hold the first bottom side rail and thesecond bottom side rail of the intermodal freight container in staticequilibrium against the first lateral force 241-1 being imparted by theweight of the mass.

The scale of the present disclosure also includes a controller thatincludes, among other things, microprocessor 256 having memory 258,where the memory 258 includes instructions stored in the memory 258 andexecutable by the microprocessor 256. The scale also includes a powersource 260 for the operation of the microprocessor 256 and the load cell242. The load cell 242 is electrically coupled to the power source 260and the microprocessor 256, where the microprocessor 256 receives andstores in memory 258 the electrical signals from the load cellindicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freightcontainer.

FIG. 2 also illustrates an additional embodiment in which the scalefurther includes a second load cell 242-2 associated with the secondbottom side rail 204. As described for the load cell 242-1 associatedwith the first bottom side rail 202, force from the weight of the mass254 on the container floor 250 having the jointed member in the firstpredetermined state is transferred through the third hinge (not shown),the first hinge 220 and the second hinge 228 into a second lateral force241-2, relative the force 252 from the weight of the mass 254. Thesecond lateral force 241-2 passes through the second member end 224 ofthe second elongate section 22 into the second bottom side rail 204. Thesecond load cell 242-2 provides an electrical signal whose magnitude isrepresentative of the second lateral force 242-2 being imparted by theweight of the mass 254. As discussed herein, the first cross-member andthe second cross-member help to hold the first bottom side rail 202 andthe second bottom side rail 204 of the intermodal freight container instatic equilibrium against the second lateral force 241-2 being impartedby the weight of the mass 254. The power source 260 allows for theoperation of the microprocessor 256 and the second load cell 242-2. Themicroprocessor 256 receives and stores in memory 258 the electricalsignal from the second load cell 242-2 indicating the weight of the massinside of the intermodal freight container. The weight information inthe memory 258 can then be transmitted to a computing device (e.g., seenin FIG. 12), as discussed herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, more than one load cell 242 can be used inmeasuring the weight of the mass inside the intermodal freightcontainer. As discussed herein, the scale of the present disclosure canhave one or more of the jointed member. In turn, one or two load cellscan be associated with each of the joined member. This allows for asituation where the scale can include multiple (e.g., three or more)load cells located at different positions along the length of theintermodal freight container. The two or more load cells can beelectronically interconnected to sum the readings to give the totalweight of the mass on the container floor. In addition, readings can betaken from an individual load cell or combinations of two or more of theload cells to provide a weight measurement of a mass from differentportions (e.g., weighing zones) of the container floor.

In addition to the location of the load cell seen in FIG. 2, otherlocations for one or more of the load cell are possible. For example, inthe embodiment where the container floor touches the upper surface 169of the first elongate section 114 and the second elongate section 122 itwould be possible to position one or more load cells between the uppersurface 163 of one or more of the cross-member 108 and the bottomsurface of the container flooring 250. In this embodiment, as the firstelongate section 114 and the second elongate section 122 of the jointedmember 102 deflect under the weight of a mass the container floor can,with sufficient mass pressing down on the container floor, contact theload cell between the upper surface 163 of one or more of thecross-member 108 and the bottom surface of the container flooring 250.Such load cells could be mounted to the bottom surface of the containerflooring 250 with the sensing portion 244 of the load cell facing andcontacting the upper surface 163 of one or more of the cross-member 108when sufficient mass is present on the container floor 250. Each of theload cells used with the scale of the present disclosure areelectrically connected to the microprocessor 256 and memory 258 of thecontroller in addition to the power source 260.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3D, there is shown an embodiment of the thirdhinge 330, which is shown in an exploded view (FIG. 3A). As illustrated,the third hinge 330 is jointed to the first elongate section 314 and thesecond elongate section 322. As noted herein, each of the first elongatesection 314 and the second elongate section 322 can have a length thatis equal. Alternatively, one of the first elongate section 314 and thesecond elongate section 322 can be longer than the other elongatesection.

In one or more embodiments, each of the first elongate section 314 andthe second elongate section 322 has an obround opening 362 through eachof the first elongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322.As discussed herein, an obround opening, such as 362 among the othersdiscussed herein, can have an obround shape or a double “D” shape.Obround is defined as consisting of two semicircles connected byparallel lines tangent to their end points. Double D is defined asconsisting of two arcs connected by parallel lines tangent to theirendpoints. As used herein, an obround or double D shape does not includea circular shape.

As illustrated, the first elongate section 314 has a first surface 364defining a first obround opening 366 through the first elongate section314, and the second elongate section 322 has a second surface 368defining a second obround opening 370 through the second elongatesection 322. As illustrated, each of the surfaces 364 and 368 has afirst end 372 (marked as 372-A for the first obround opening 366, andmarked as 372-B for the second obround opening 370) and a second end 374(marked as 374-A for the first obround opening 366, and marked as 374-Bfor the second obround opening 370), where the second end 374 isopposite the first end 372 along a longitudinal axis 376 of each of thefirst obround opening 366 and the second obround opening 370.

The third hinge 330 also includes the fastener 378, a portion of whichpasses through the first and second obround opening 366 and 370 toconnect the first elongate section 314 and the second elongate section322. As will be discussed more fully herein, the fastener 378 passesthrough the first obround opening 366 and the second obround opening370. The fastener 378 is secured in position to help hold the firstelongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322 together (e.g.,the fastener 378 mechanically joins the first elongate section 314 andthe second elongate section 322).

While the fastener 378 mechanically joins the first elongate section 314and the second elongate section 322, the first elongate section 314 andthe second elongate section 322 are also able to slide relative to eachother and to rotate about the fastener 378. This ability of the firstelongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322 to sliderelative each other allows for a change in the length of the hypotenuseas the third hinge 330 folds, thereby preventing damage to the jointedmember, associated hinges and structures, as discussed herein. Thisability to both slide relative each other and to rotate about thefastener 378 provides at least two of the features that allow the thirdhinge 330 to overcome what is referred to as the hypotenuse issue asdiscussed in WO 2013/025663, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. This aspect of the invention will be discussed morefully herein.

The use of a variety of fastener 378 is possible. For example, thefastener 378 can be in the form of a bolt with nut (as illustrated) or arivet. The bolt can have a threaded portion at or adjacent a first endfor receiving a nut and a head at a second end opposite the first end.The nut and the head of the bolt can have a diameter relative the firstobround opening 366 and the second obround opening 370 that preventseither from passing through the openings 366 and 370 (e.g., only thebody of the bolt passes through the openings 366 and 370). A washer canalso be used between the head and nut of the bolt to help prevent eitherfrom passing through the openings 366 and 370.

Examples of bolts can include, but are not limited to, structural bolts,hex bolts, or carriage bolts, among others. The nut used with the boltcan be a locknut, castellated nut, a slotted nut, a distorted threadlocknut, an interfering thread nut, or a split beam nut, among others. Ajam nut can also be used with the nut if desired. Examples of a rivetinclude a solid rivet having a shaft that can pass through and a headthat does not pass through the openings 366 and 370. A shop head canthen be formed on the rivet that fastens the first elongate section 314and the second elongate section 322. Regardless of which fastener isused, however, the fastener 378 is not tightened so much as to preventthe first elongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322 ofthe jointed member 312 from sliding relative to each other and rotatingabout the fastener 378.

As discussed herein, the fastener 378 passes through the first obroundopening 366 and the second obround opening 370 to connect the firstelongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322. The firstsurface 364 defining the first obround opening 366 and the secondsurface 368 defining the second obround opening 370 each include thefirst end 372 and the second end 374 opposite the first end 372. Thefirst end 372 and the second end 374 are each in the shape of an arcthat helps the surfaces 364, 368 to form a circular shape when in afirst predetermined state (seen in FIG. 4). For other embodiments, thefirst end 372 and/or the second end 374 may include one or more shapesincluding but not limited, a polygonal shape, a non-polygonal shape, andcombinations thereof. In addition, the first obround opening and thesecond obround opening, as discussed herein, can be positioned at anumber of different locations along a height and/or a width of the firstelongate section 314 and the second elongate section 322.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the first elongate section 314 furtherincludes a first abutment member 380 opposite the first member end (216in FIG. 2), and the second elongate section 322 further includes asecond abutment member 382 opposite the first member end (224 in FIG.2). In a first predetermined state (shown in FIG. 4 and discussedherein) the first abutment member 380 and the second abutment 382 are inphysical contact. In addition, a portion of the first surface 364 of thefirst obround opening 366 and a portion of the second surface 368 of thesecond obround opening 370 are in physical contact with the fastener 378to transfer the force from the weight of the mass on the container floorhaving the jointed member in the first predetermined state through thefirst hinge, the second hinge and the fastener 378 of the third hinge330 into the first lateral force.

The second end 318 of the first elongate section 314 includes the firstabutment member 380 and the second end 382 of the second elongatesection 322 includes the second abutment member 382. Together, the firstabutment member 380 and the second abutment member 382 form an abutmentjoint 381. FIGS. 3B-3D provide an enlarged view of the embodiment of thefirst abutment member 380 and the second abutment member 382 of theabutment member 381. The first abutment member 380 includes a projection386 that extends from first abutment member shoulders 388 of the firstabutment member 380. The projection 386 has a distal end 390 from whicha first surface 392 and a second surface 394 extend towards the firstabutment member shoulders 388 at an acute angle. As used herein, an“angle” is the figure formed by two rays that share a common endpoint(e.g., the vertex of the angle). For acute angle, the first surface 392and the second surface 394 share a common endpoint. As used herein, an“acute angle” is an angle that is less than ninety degrees (less than90°).

The second abutment member 382 has a socket 396 into which theprojection 386 of the first abutment member 380 releasably seats. Thesocket 396 has a first surface 398 and a second surface 301 that extendaway from a first end 303 of the second abutment member 382 at an acuteangle. The acute angle can be equal to or less than the acute angle ofthe first surface 392 and the second surface 394 of the first abutmentmember 380, where the first surface 398 and the second surface 301 sharea common endpoint. In one embodiment, the socket 396 having the firstsurface 398 and the second surface 301 that extend away from the firstend 303 of the second abutment member 382 has an acute angle that isequal to the acute angle of the first surface 392 and the second surface394 of the first abutment member 380.

The second abutment member 382 also includes second abutment membershoulders 305 that extend from the socket 396 such that when theprojection 386 of the first abutment member 380 seats in the socket 396of the second abutment member 382, the second surface 394 of theprojection 386 and the second surface 301 of the socket 396 touch, andthe second abutment member shoulders 305 and the first abutment membershoulders 388 touch. In one embodiment, when the socket 396 having thefirst surface 398 and the second surface 301 that extend away from thefirst end 303 of the second abutment member 382 have an acute angle thatis equal to the acute angle of the first surface 392 and the secondsurface 394 of the first abutment member 380 the projection 386 of thefirst abutment member 380 can seat in the socket 396 of the secondabutment member 382 such that the first surface 392 of the projection386 and the first surface 398 of the socket 396 touch, the secondsurface 394 of the projection 386 and the second surface 301 of thesocket 396 touch, and the second abutment member shoulders 305 and thefirst abutment member shoulders 388 touch.

As used herein, to “touch” means to be at least partially in contact(e.g., the second surface 394 of the projection 386 and the secondsurface 301 of the socket 396 are at least partially in contact when theprojection 386 of the first abutment member 380 seats in the socket 396of the second abutment member 382). As used herein, “seat”, “seats” or“seated” means to fit into another part, such as the surfaces of thefirst abutment member 380 and the second abutment member 382, so atleast some of the surfaces of the parts come to rest against each other(e.g., no further relative movement is possible in the direction alongwhich the first abutment member 380 and the second abutment member 382were traveling as they came to rest against each other).

The distal end 390 of the projection 386 can define a planar surface 307that forms an obtuse angle with the first surface 392 of the projectionat the common end point. The planar surface 307 can also form a ninetydegree angle with the second surface 394 of the projection 386 at thecommon endpoint. The socket 396 of the second abutment member 382includes a second end 309 having a planar surface 311. In oneembodiment, the planar surface 311 can be a mirror image of the planarsurface 307 of the distal end 390 of the projection 386. It isappreciated, however, that the distal end 390 of the projection 386 neednot be a planar surface as shown in FIG. 3B. For example, the distal end390 of the projection 386 could have a non-planar configuration such asa rounded configuration, such as a convex surface or a concave surface.

The first abutment member shoulders 388 include a first shoulder surface313 that extends from the first surface 392 of the projection 386 and asecond shoulder surface 315 that extends from the second surface 394 ofthe projection 386. The second shoulder surface 315 and the secondsurface 394 of the projection 386 form a ninety degree angle at thecommon endpoint. As discussed herein, the second shoulder surface 315and the second surface 394 of the projection 386 can also form an obtuseangle. The first shoulder surface 313 and the first surface 392 of theprojection 386 form an obtuse angle at the common endpoint.

The relationship of the size and shape of the projection 386 relativeboth the first shoulder surface 313 and the second shoulder surface 315,and the socket 396 can also vary. For example, the second shouldersurface 315 can have a height that is from two to four times as large asa height of the first shoulder surface 313. The second shoulder surface315 can also have a height that is from two to six times as large as aheight of the first shoulder surface 313. In one embodiment, the secondshoulder surface 315 is three times as large as the height of the firstshoulder surface 313 (e.g., the second shoulder surface 315 is “X”millimeters (e.g., 18 mm) high and the first shoulder surface 313 is“3X” millimeters high (e.g., 6 mm)).

There can also be a predetermined relationship between the length of theprojection 386, as measured along the second surface 394 of theprojection 386 between the second shoulder surface 315 and the planarsurface 307 of the first abutment member 380, and the height of thesecond shoulder surface 315, as measured from the second surface 394 anda bottom surface 317 of the first abutment member 380. For the variousembodiments, this predetermined relationship provides that the length ofthe projection 386, as measured along the second surface 394 of theprojection 386 between the second shoulder surface 315 and the planarsurface 307 of the projection 386, is equal to or less than the heightof the second shoulder surface 315, as measured from the second surface394 and a bottom surface 317 of the first abutment member 380. So, forexample, there can be a one (1) to one (1) ratio of the length of theprojection 386, as measured along the second surface 394 between thesecond shoulder surface 315 and the planar surface 307, to the height ofthe second shoulder surface 315, as measured from the second surface 394and a bottom surface 317 of the first abutment member 380. Other ratiosof the length of the projection 386, as measured along the secondsurface 394 between the second shoulder surface 315 and the planarsurface 307, to the height of the second shoulder surface 315, asmeasured from the second surface 394 and a bottom surface 317 of thefirst abutment member 380, are also possible. Examples of these ratiosinclude, but are not limited to, eight (8) to nine (9); seven (7) toeight (8); six (6) to seven (7); five (5) to six (6); four (4) to five(5); three (3) to four (4); two (2) to three (3); and one (1) to two(2), among others.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the first shoulder surface 313 and the secondshoulder surface 315 can lay in a common plane. Alternatively, the firstshoulder surface 313 and the second shoulder surface 315 do not lie in acommon plane. When the first shoulder surface 313 and the secondshoulder surface 315 are not in a common plane the two surfaces 313 and315 can be co-planar to each other. In this configuration, the secondshoulder surface 315 would be closer to the distal end 390 of theprojection 386 relative the position of the first shoulder surface 313.The second abutment member 382 would complement the alternative shape byshortening the height of the shoulder surface so as to be closer to theheight of second end 309 of the socket 396. FIG. 3D provides anillustration of the first shoulder surface 313 and the second shouldersurface 315 being co-planar to each other.

The second abutment member shoulders 305 include a first shouldersurface 319 that extends from the first surface 398 of the socket 396and a second shoulder surface 321 that extends from the second surface301 of the socket 396. The second shoulder surface 321 and the secondsurface 301 of the socket 396 form a ninety degree angle at the commonendpoint. The first shoulder surface 319 and the first surface 398 ofthe socket 396 form an obtuse angle at the common endpoint.

The relationship of the size and shape of the socket 396 can match thatof the projection 386 such that the first abutment member shoulders 388and the second abutment member shoulders 305 touch when the projection386 seats in the socket 396, as discussed herein. As discussed hereinfor the projection 386, there can also be a relationship of the size andshape of the socket 396 relative to both the first shoulder surface 319and the second shoulder surface 321 that can vary. For example, thesecond shoulder surface 321 can have a height that is from two to fourtimes as large as a height of the first shoulder surface 319. The secondshoulder surface 321 can also have a height that is from two to sixtimes as large as a height of the first shoulder surface 319. In oneembodiment, the second shoulder surface 321 is three times as large asthe height of the first shoulder surface 319 (e.g., the second shouldersurface 321 is “X” millimeters (e.g., 18 mm) high and the first shouldersurface 319 is “3X” millimeters high (e.g., 6 mm)).

There can also be a predetermined relationship between the height of thesecond shoulder surface 321 and the height of the second shouldersurface 315. Such a predetermined relationship includes that the heightof the second shoulder surface 321 is equal to the height of the secondshoulder surface 315. There can also be a predetermined relationshipbetween the length of the projection 386 as measured along the secondsurface 394 and the length of the second surface 301 as measured fromthe second shoulder surface 321 to the second end 309. Such apredetermined relationship includes that the length of the projection386 as measured along the second surface 394 can be equal to or shorterthan the length of the second surface 301 as measured from the secondshoulder surface 321 to the second end 309.

An embodiment where the length of the projection 386 as measured alongthe second surface 394 is equal to the length of the second surface 301as measured from the second shoulder surface 321 to the second end 309is illustrated in FIGS. 3B through 3D.

As illustrated in FIG. 3C, the first shoulder surface 319 and the secondshoulder surface 321 can lay in a common plane. Alternatively, the firstshoulder surface 319 and the second shoulder surface 321 do not lie in acommon plane. When the first shoulder surface 319 and the secondshoulder surface 321 are not in a common plane the two surfaces 319 and321 can be co-planar to each other. FIG. 3D provides an illustration ofthis embodiment. Regardless of their relationship, the first shouldersurface 313 and the second shoulder surface 315 of the first abutmentmember 380 and the first shoulder surface 319 and the second shouldersurface 321 of the second abutment member 382 can touch when theprojection 386 of the first abutment member 380 is seated in the socket396 of the second abutment member 382.

The first surface 392, 398 and the second surface 394, 301 of the firstabutment member 380 and the second abutment member 382, respectively,can have a variety of different shapes. For example, the first surface392 and the second surface 394 of the first abutment member 380 and thefirst surface 398 and the second surface 301 of the second abutmentmember 382 can each be a planar surface. In an additional embodiment,the first surfaces 392 and 398 can have a curvature (e.g., a non-planarcurved surface). It is also possible for the first surfaces 392 and 398to have two or more planar surfaces. For example, the first surfaces 392and 398 can have a “V-shaped” pattern, arcuate pattern, or asemi-spherical pattern. Other shapes are also possible.

The second surface 394, 301 of the first abutment member 380 and thesecond abutment member 382, respectively, are shown in FIGS. 3B-3D asbeing planar surfaces that are perpendicular to their respective secondshoulder surface 315 and 321. For the various embodiments, the secondsurface 394, 301 of the first abutment member 380 and the secondabutment member 382, respectively, can be non-perpendicular to theirrespective second shoulder surface 315 and second shoulder surface 321.

When the projection 386 of the first abutment member 380 is seated inthe socket 396 of the second abutment member 382 the first shouldersurface 313 of the first abutment member 380 touches the first shouldersurface 319 of the second abutment member 382. The second shouldersurface 315 of the first abutment member 380 also touches the secondshoulder surface 321 of the second abutment member 382 when theprojection 386 of the first abutment member 380 is seated in the socket396 of the second abutment member 382. This contact of the shouldersurfaces 313, 315, 319 and 321 when the projection 386 of the firstabutment member 380 is seated in the socket 396 of the second abutmentmember 382 helps to redirect shearing forces applied through theprojection 386 (e.g., those forces orthogonal to the shoulder surfaces313, 315, 319 and 321) to be directed at least partially intocompressive forces along the longitudinal axes of the first abutmentmember 380 and the second abutment member 382 (e.g., a redistribution offorces into the mass of the abutment members 380 and 382).

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated the first elongate section414 and the second elongate section 422 of the jointed member 412 in thefirst predetermined state. Specifically, the amount of overlap shown inFIG. 4 for the first predetermined state is approximately the crosssectional area of the portion of the fastener 478, shown from an endview, that passes through the openings 466 and 470. In one embodiment,the area of the overlap is equal to the cross sectional area of theportion of the fastener 478 that passes through the openings 466 and470. For either embodiment discussed in this paragraph, the firstobround opening 466 and the second obround opening 470 when in theirfirst predetermined state also define a shape that corresponds to thecross sectional shape of the portion of the fastener 478 that passesthrough the openings 466 and 470. As illustrated, the fastener 478 inthe first predetermined state has a longitudinal axis that is offsetfrom but parallel with the fixed axis of rotation of the first hinge(220 in FIG. 2) and the fixed axis of rotation of the second hinge (228in FIG. 2).

In an additional embodiment, it is also possible to position one or moreload cells on or within the abutment member 481. In additionalembodiment, the projection (e.g., 386) could be configured as a shearbeam type load cell, where a strain gauge could be integrated into theprojection to allow for the force of the mass to be sensed bydeformations in the abutment member 381. Other parts of the abutmentmember 381 could also be used a shear beam in a load cell.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an intermodal freight container525 according to the present disclosure. The intermodal freightcontainer 525 includes a floor structure 527, a roof structure 529opposite the floor structure 527, a first sidewall structure 531-1 and asecond sidewall structure 531-2, where both the first sidewall structure531-1 and the second sidewall structure 531-2 join the floor structure327 and the roof structure 529. Each of the sidewall structures 531-1and 531-2 has an exterior surface and an interior surface, where theinterior surface of the sidewall structures 531-1 and 531-2, the floorstructure 527 and the roof structure 529 at least partially defines avolume of the intermodal freight container 525.

The first sidewall structure 531-1 includes a first sidewall panel thatis joined to a first upper side rail 533-1 and the first bottom siderail 502. The second sidewall structure 531-2 includes a second sidewallpanel that is joined to a second upper side rail 533-2 and the secondbottom side rail 504. The floor structure 327 includes containerflooring 550 that is attached to at least the jointed members 512according to the present disclosure, where a portion of the containerflooring 560 has been removed to show the jointed members 512 and thecross members 508. The side rails 502 and 504 can further includeforklift pockets.

The intermodal freight container 525 further includes a rear wall 535and a front wall 537. Each of the rear wall 535 and the front wall 537include an end frame (e.g., rear end frame 539 and front end frame 541,respectively) joined with the roof structure 529, the floor structure527 and the sidewall structures 531-1 and 531-2. The end frames 539 and541 include corner posts 543, corner fittings 545, a header 547 and asill 549. The corner posts 543 for the rear wall 335 are referred toherein as the rear wall corner posts and for the front wall 537 arereferred to herein as the front wall corner posts.

The rear wall 535 includes a door assembly 551. The door assembly 551can include a door 553 attached to the rear end frame 539 of the rearwall 535 with hinges. The rear end frame 539 includes the header 547,which is also referred to as a rear wall header member for the doorassembly 551, and the sill 549, which is also referred to as a rear wallsill member for the door assembly 551. The rear wall corner posts 543extend between and couple the rear wall sill member 549 and the rearwall header member 547.

FIG. 5 provides an embodiment of the door assembly 551 that includes twoof the doors 553, where one of each door 553 is attached by the hingesto one of each of the rear wall corner posts 543. Each door 553 has aheight and a width that allows the door 553 to fit within an areadefined by the rear wall end frame 539. The door 553 can further includea gasket around a perimeter of the door 553 to help provideweatherproofing on the exterior portion of the rear wall 535.

The door 553 further includes a locking rod 555 having a cam 557 and ahandle 559. The locking rod 555 can be mounted to the door 531 with abearing bracket assembly, where the locking rod 555 turns within and isguided by the bearing bracket assembly to engage and disengage the cam557 and a cam keeper 561. The cam keeper 561 is mounted on the rear endframe 539. In one embodiment, the cam keeper 561 is mounted on the rearwall header member 547 and the rear wall sill member 549 of the rear endframe 535 of the rear wall 535.

The discussion associated with FIGS. 1-5 of the present disclosure isdirected to traditional intermodal freight containers (e.g., anon-folding intermodal freight container that complies with ISOstandards). The scale of the present disclosure can also be used withfoldable intermodal freight containers, as are known. Examples of suchreversibly foldable intermodal freight containers that can include thescale of the present disclosure include those described in WO2014/028000 entitled “Abutment Joint” and published on Feb. 20, 2014; WO2013/025676 entitled “Reversibly foldable intermodal freight containerand Method for Positioning Doors of a Container Inside the Volume of theContainer” and published Feb. 21, 2013; WO 2013/025667 entitled “DoorAssembly for Freight Container” and published Feb. 21, 2013; and WO2013/025663 entitled “Jointed Member” and published Feb. 21, 2013, eachof which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Theinventive embodiments provided herein are directed to and useful withreversibly foldable intermodal freight containers, such as thosereferenced and incorporated herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is illustrated an embodiment ofa reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671, in partial view,that includes the scale of the present invention. The reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 671. In FIGS. 6A and 6B portionsof the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 have beenremoved (e.g., portions of the roof structure, portions of the sidewallstructures, portions of the floor structure, portions of the front walland rear wall, portions of the door assembly, etc.) to allow thelocation and relative position of the jointed members 612, the firstcross-member 608, the second cross-member 610 of the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 671 to be more clearly seen. The reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 671 illustrated in FIG. 6A isshown in an unfolded state.

As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer 671 includes a first corner post 673-1, a second corner post673-2, a third corner post 673-3, and a fourth corner post 673-4. Thecorner posts 673-1 through 673-4 are load bearing vertical supportmembers that are both rigid and unfoldable. In addition, the cornerposts 673-1 through 673-4 are of sufficient strength to support theweight of a number of other fully loaded freight containers stacked uponthe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671. Each of thecorner posts 673-1 through 673-4 includes a corner fitting 675 (675-1through 675-8). The corner fittings 675-1 through 675-8 may be employedfor griping, moving, placing, and/or securing the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 671. In one embodiment, the corner posts673-1 through 673-4 and the corner fittings 675-1 through 675-8 complywith the ISO standards for freight containers, such as ISO standard 688and ISO standard 1496 (and the amendments to ISO standard 1496), amongothers. In the unfolded state a predefined maximum width 677 of thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 is eight (8) feet(measured from the corner fittings) as provided in ISO 668 Fifth Edition1995 Dec. 15.

The reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 also includes afirst bottom side rail 602 and a second bottom side rail 604. The firstbottom side rail 602 and the second bottom side rail 604 are asdiscussed above for FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. As illustrated, the first bottomside rail 602 is located between the first corner post 673-1 and thesecond corner post 673-2, and the second bottom side rail 604 is locatedbetween the third corner post 673-3 and the fourth corner post 673-4.The reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 furtherincludes a first upper side rail 633-1 and a second upper side rail633-2. The first upper side rail 633-1 may be located between the firstcorner post 673-1 and the second corner post 673-2. The second upperside rail 633-2 may be located between the third corner post 673-3 andthe fourth corner post 673-4.

The reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 furtherincludes jointed members 612 according to the present disclosure. Thejointed member 612 is as discussed above for FIGS. 1-4 discussed above,where the third hinge 730 is as illustrated and discussed with respectto FIG. 3A-3D. As illustrated, the first and second bottom side rails602 and 604 are joined by two or more of the jointed members 612. Thejointed member 612 acts as a “cross member” in the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 671 when the reversibly foldable intermodalfreight container 671 is in an unfolded state. Functioning as a crossmember, the jointed member 612 acts as a beam to help carry a structuralload placed on a floor structure of the reversibly foldable intermodalfreight container 671. To this end, the joined member 612 of the presentdisclosure can help carry a structural load as prescribed in ISOstandard 1496. Unlike a typical cross member, however, the joined member612 of the present disclosure can then be used to help the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 671 to reversibly fold in alateral direction, relative a longitudinal direction 606 of the upperand bottom side rails.

FIG. 6A also illustrates an embodiment of the cross-members 608 for thepresent disclosure. As illustrated, the cross-members 608 are located inthe end frames of the front wall and the rear wall of the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 671. Unlike the cross-members seenin FIG. 1-5 for the non-foldable intermodal freight container (where theeach of the first cross-member and the second cross-member were notjoined to a hinge or form a part of a hinge with the first bottom siderail and the second bottom side rail, respectively, of the intermodalfreight container), the first cross-member 608-1 and the secondcross-member 608-2 of the present embodiment are joined to a hinge 6108or form a part of a hinge 6108 with the first bottom side rail and thesecond bottom side rail, respectively, of the intermodal freightcontainer. A more detailed discussion of the hinge 6108 is providedherein.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, there is shown the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 671 in at least a partially folded state.As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the jointed member 612 of the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 671 folds into a volume defined bythe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671. As the jointedmember 612 folds, the corner posts 673-1 through 673-4 and the cornerfittings 675-1 through 675-8 are drawn closer together laterally. Onceagain, this reduction in the volume and the “foot-print” (e.g., area) ofthe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 from anunfolded state (e.g. FIG. 6A) can be accomplished, as least in part, dueto the presence of the jointed members 612.

FIG. 6B also illustrates the embodiment in which the first cross-member608-1, the second cross-member 608-2 and the header members 6106 and6147 have been folded to lay parallel with the corner posts 673-1,673-4, 673-2 and 673-3, respectively. This aspect of the presentdisclosure is more fully discussed below.

As discussed more fully herein, one major obstacle overcome by thejoined member 612 of the present disclosure is its ability to not onlyact as a structural member or beam capable of helping to support a loadas prescribed in ISO standard 1496 when in an unfolded state, but alsoits surprising ability to transition to a folded state without havingany portion of the jointed member 612 extending beyond its definedmaximum length as defined in an unfolded state. This defined maximumlength of the jointed member 612 can be the defined maximum length ofthe jointed member in an unfolded state. So, the jointed member of thepresent disclosure can transition from an unfolded state to a foldedstate without causing any portion of the jointed member (e.g., the endsof the joined member that help define the defined maximum length) toextend beyond its defined maximum length. As a result, the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container can transition from the unfoldedstate towards the folded state without any portion of the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container extending beyond its predefinedmaximum width 677 measured at a predetermined point on each of two ofthe rear wall corner posts 673. The predetermined point on each of therear corner posts 673 can be the corner fittings 675 (e.g., maximumwidth as measured between the outer surface of corner fittings 675-4 and675-2). This issue is presented as follows.

As discussed herein, the jointed member is configured in such a way thatduring the folding process the length of the jointed member does notexceed the maximum width of the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer 671 thereby preventing damage to the jointed member,associated hinges and structures. From the folded state the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container may transition back to theunfolded state, and is thus reversibly foldable.

As used in the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671, thejoined member 612 can act as a beam. As used herein, a beam is astructural element that is capable of withstanding a load primarily byresisting bending. For various embodiments, the joined member 612 can beconfigured as a beam, or as part of a beam, for the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 671. In addition to acting as a beam,however, the joined member 612 of the present disclosure also allows forthe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 to fold. Whenin a folded state, the reversibly foldable intermodal freight containeroccupies a volume that is less than that of the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container in an unfolded state. So, when in thefolded state the structure occupies a volume and/or an area that is lessthan that of the structure in an unfolded state.

Another significant advantage of the jointed member 612 used in thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container 671 of the presentdisclosure is its surprising ability to fold within a defined maximumlength of the jointed member. (e.g., the defined maximum length can be amaximum length of the jointed member). This defined maximum length ofthe jointed member 612 can be the defined maximum length of the jointedmember 612 in an unfolded state. So, the jointed member of the presentdisclosure can transition from an unfolded state to a folded statewithout causing any portion of the jointed member 612 (e.g., the ends ofthe joined member that help define the defined maximum length) to extendbeyond its defined maximum length. The following discussion will help tofurther clarify the problem that the jointed member of the presentdisclosure has helped to overcome.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7E there is shown the jointed member 712transitioning from the first predetermined state towards the secondpredetermined state without any portion of the jointed member 712extending beyond its defined maximum length. During this transition thefirst obround opening, the second obround opening, and the fastener canmove relative each other as does the first abutment member 780 and thesecond abutment member 782. This relative movement helps to provide thatthe jointed member 712 transitions from the first predetermined statetowards the second predetermined state (e.g., a folded state) withoutexpanding beyond either the defined maximum length or the predefinedmaximum width of the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container(e.g., 8 feet) provided in the first predetermined state, while neitherbowing or damaging the jointed member, a pivotal connection (e.g., ahinge) or a structure of the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer.

The jointed member 712 can fold in a way that the components of thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container do not extend beyondtheir predefined maximum width (e.g., ISO standard width of 8 feet). Thejoined member 712 has the attributes of a compound hinge. Specifically,the joined member 712 has two distinct and separate axes of rotationthat are used during the folding and/or the un-folding of the jointedmember 712.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate the first elongate section 714 connected to thefirst bottom side rail 702 by the first hinge 720 and the secondelongate section 722 connected to a second bottom side rail 704 by thesecond hinge 728. FIGS. 7A-7C also illustrates the embodiment of thethird hinge 730 that includes the fastener 778 that joins the firstelongate section 714 and the second elongate section 722 by passingthrough the first and second obround opening 766 and 770, respectively.The fastener 778 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 7A-7C to betterillustrate its relationship to the first and second obround opening 766and 770 as the jointed member 712 moves from the first predetermined, orunfolded, position towards the second predetermined, or the foldedposition.

In FIG. 7A the jointed member 712 is shown in its first predeterminedstate having its defined maximum length. In this first predeterminedstate: the first and second abutment members 780 and 782 are in contact;the overlap of the first and second obround openings 766 and 770 is at aminimum relative the second predetermined state (seen in FIG. 8). As thejointed member 712 begins to fold different portions of the jointedmember 712 move so as to rotate around predefined points of rotation(e.g., a first axis of rotation), to slide relative one or more of theother parts of the jointed member 712 and/or to shift relative positionsat different stages of the folding process. Referring now to FIG. 7B,the jointed member 712 is shown beginning to fold from its firstpredetermined state, as seen in FIG. 7A, towards the secondpredetermined state, as seen in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, thefirst abutment member 780 and the second abutment member 782 define afirst point of rotation around a first axis of rotation for the firstelongate section 714 and the second elongate section 722. In otherwords, the first point of rotation around which the first elongatesection 714 and the second elongate section 722 rotate is defined at thepoint of contact between the first abutment member 780 and the secondabutment member 782.

As the first elongate section 714 and the second elongate section 722rotate around the first point of rotation defined by the first abutmentmember 780 and the second abutment member 782 the surfaces defining thefirst obround opening 766 and the second obround opening 770 moverelative each other. The fastener 778 can also move (e.g., laterally)within the first obround opening 766 and/or the second obround opening770 as the jointed member 712 transitions from the first predeterminedstate towards the second predetermined state. In transitioning towardsthe second predetermined state the fastener 778 is mobile within thefirst obround opening 766 and/or the second obround opening 770. Asdiscussed herein, the axial center of the fastener 778 moves along(e.g., essentially parallel with) the longitudinal axis of the firstobround opening 766 and the second obround opening 770 as the jointedmember 712 transitions from a first predetermined state to a secondpredetermined state. The cross-sectional shape of the fastener 778 is ofa size and a shape that allows the fastener 778 to travel along thelongitudinal axis (e.g., the longest diameter through the center of theobround opening) of the first obround opening 766 and the second obroundopening 770 as the jointed member 712 transitions from a firstpredetermined state to a second predetermined state without anysignificant amount of travel along the minor axis (e.g., the shortestdiameter through the center of the obround opening) of the first obroundopening 766 and the second obround opening 770. So, for example, thedistance between the parallel lines tangent to the end points of the twosemicircles of the first and second obround openings 766 and 770 isapproximately the diameter of the portion of the fastener 778,illustrated herein, that passes through the first and second obroundopenings 766 and 770.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the fastener 778 has moved laterally (e.g. ina direction coincident with the longitudinal axis) within the firstobround opening 766. Likewise, the fastener 778 may move laterallywithin the second obround opening 770 (e.g. in a direction coincidentwith the longitudinal axis).

FIG. 7B shows how a gap develops between the fastener 778 and the firstend 772 of the surfaces defining the first obround opening 766 (772-A)and the second obround opening 770 (772-B). The jointed member 712 canrotate around a point of contact (e.g., a predetermined point ofcontact) between the first abutment member 780 and the second abutmentmember 782 until the second ends 774 of the first obround opening 766(774-A) and the second obround opening 770 (774-B) contact the fastener778, for example. This embodiment, where the second ends 774 of thefirst obround opening 766 (774-A) and the second obround opening 770(774-B) contact the fastener 778, is illustrated in FIG. 7C. FIG. 7Calso illustrates that the point of rotation now shifts from the firstpoint of rotation, defined by the first abutment member 780 and thesecond abutment member 782, to a second point of rotation on a secondaxis of rotation that is formed by the second end 774 of both the firstsurface of the first obround opening 766 (774-A) and the second surfaceof the second obround opening 770 (774-B) when positioned against thefastener 778. This second point of rotation around a second axis ofrotation for the first abutment member 780 and the second abutmentmember 782 is different than the first point of rotation discussedherein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, the first elongate section 714 and thesecond elongate section 722 rotate around (e.g., turn on) the firstpoint of rotation prior to rotating around (e.g., turning on) the secondpoint of rotation as the jointed member 712 transitions from the firstpredetermined state towards the second predetermined state. Also, asillustrated in FIG. 7C the first end 772-A, 772-B of each of the firstobround opening 766 and the second obround opening 770, respectively,does not contact the fastener 778 when the second end 774-A and 774-B ofeach of the first obround opening 766 and the second obround opening370, respectively, are seated against the fastener 778.

As seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, as the first elongate section 714 and the secondelongate section 722 rotate around (e.g., turn on) the first point ofrotation the first abutment member 780 and the second abutment member782 can initially separate, or move, from their seated position alongthe longitudinal axis. As this happens, the first gap is formed betweenthe distal end of the projection 786 and the second end of the socket796 of the second abutment member 782. The second gap also forms betweenthe first surface of the projection 786 and the first surface of thesocket 796. This combination of the first gap and the second gap for thegiven configuration of the abutment joint 781 allows for the firstabutment member 780 and the second abutment member 782 to travel alongthe arcuate travel path as the jointed member 712 rotates around thesecond point of rotation.

In shifting from the first point of rotation to the second point ofrotation the length of the hypotenuse of the jointed member 712 changesfrom an initial value when the jointed member 712 is in the firstpredetermined state (as discussed herein) to a shorter value, relativethe initial value, such as when the point of rotation shifts to thepoint of contact between the second end 774 of the first obround opening766 (774-A) and the second obround opening 770 (774-B) and the fastener778.

FIGS. 7D and 7E can be used to illustrate this change in the length ofthe hypotenuse of the jointed member 712. The broken lines 791 and 793in FIGS. 7D and 7E show the hypotenuse of jointed member 712 when thejointed member is at either the first point of rotation or the secondpoint of rotation. In FIG. 7D, there is shown the first elongate section714, where in the first predetermined state the fastener 778, the firstabutment member 780 and the first end 716, all in a common plane, candefine a right triangle 783 of the first elongate section 714.Specifically, the hypotenuse of the right triangle 783 is between thefastener 778 and the first end 716, a first leg 785 of the righttriangle 783 is defined by the first end 716 and the perpendicularintersection of a first line 787 extending from the first end 716 and asecond line 789 extending from the geometric center of the fastener 778,where the first and second lines 787 and 789 are in the common plane.

As illustrated in FIG. 7D, when in the first predetermined state brokenline 791 shows the hypotenuse of jointed member 712. When the point ofrotation shifts to the second point of rotation the broken line 793shows the now shortened hypotenuse, relative the hypotenuse in the firstpredetermined state. In addition to being shorter than broken line 791,the hypotenuse shown by broken line 793 can be equal to or shorter thanthe first leg 785 of the right triangle 783 of the first elongatesection 714 when the jointed member is in the first predetermined state.In this way, the jointed member 712 having the now shortened hypotenusecan pass through, for example, the defined maximum length, as discussedherein.

Similarly, in FIG. 7E there is shown the second elongate section 722,where in the first predetermined state the fastener 778, the secondabutment member 782 and the first end 724 first end 724 of the secondelongate section 722, all in a common plane, define a right triangle 783of the second elongate section 722. Specifically, the hypotenuse of theright triangle 783 is between the fastener 778 and the first end 724, afirst leg 785 of the right triangle 783 is defined by the first end 724and the perpendicular intersection of a first line 787 extending fromthe first end 724 and a second line 789 extending from the geometriccenter of the fastener 778, where the first and second lines 787 and 789are in the common plane.

As illustrated in FIG. 7E, when in the first predetermined state brokenline 791 shows the hypotenuse of jointed member 712. When the point ofrotation shifts to the second point of rotation the broken line 793shows the now shortened hypotenuse, relative the hypotenuse in the firstpredetermined state. In addition to being shorter than broken line 791,the hypotenuse shown by broken line 793 can be equal to or shorter thanthe first leg 785 of the right triangle 783 of the second elongatesection 722 when the jointed member is in the first predetermined state.In this way, the jointed member 712 having the now shortened hypotenusecan pass through, for example, the defined maximum length, as discussedherein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7D and 7E, the first predetermined state thehypotenuse has a length that is greater than a length of the first leg785. However, as the first abutment member 780 and the second abutmentmember 782 rotate about the first point of rotation the length of thefirst leg 785 of the right triangle 783 changes by a length 795, whichis the length the geometric center of the fastener 778 travels betweenthe first predetermined state and the second predetermined state. Thechange in the first leg 785 also changes the length of the hypotenuse sothat it is no longer greater than the length of the first leg 785 asmeasured in the first predetermined position. This change in theeffective length of the hypotenuse allows the jointed member 712 to foldtowards the second predetermined state without extending beyond thedefined maximum length defined in the first predetermined state. Forun-folding of the jointed member 712 a force may be applied to thefolded jointed member to cause the jointed member 712 to return to itsfirst predetermined state as seen in FIG. 7A. In returning to its firstpredetermined state the defined maximum length is not exceeded.

The joined member 712 illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C also include the loadcell 742, the controller having, among other things, the microprocessor756 and memory 758 and power source 760 as was discussed above for FIG.2. As discussed and illustrated in FIG. 2, the load cell 742-1 isassociated with the first bottom side rail 702. As illustrated, the loadcell 742-1 is positioned at least partially within the tubular body ofthe first bottom side rail 702. A portion of the load cell 742-1 isjoined (e.g., welded or bolted) to the first bottom side rail 702 in anarea directly adjacent to the first member end 716 of the first elongatesection 714. The load cell 742-1 can be located and joined to the firstbottom side rail 702 in such a way that the load cell 742-1 can detectdistortions in the first bottom side rail 702 from the first lateralforce 741-1, as discussed herein, being applied through the first memberend of the first elongate section into the first bottom side rail. Inone embodiment, the load cell 742-1 is joined to the first bottom siderail 702 directly adjacent the first member end of the first elongatesection. In an alternative, only a portion of the load cell 742-1 isjoined to the first bottom side rail 702 directly adjacent the firstmember end of the first elongate section. The load cell 742-1 can bejoined directly to the first bottom side rail 702. Alternatively, thefirst bottom side rail 702 can include a holder on to or into which theload cell 742-1 is mounted to allow it to detect the distortions in thefirst bottom side rail 702 from the first lateral force 741-1.

In an alternative embodiment, the load cell 742-1 is positioned with atleast a portion of the load cell passing through an opening 746 in thefirst bottom side rail 702. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, a sensingportion 744 (e.g., a mass button) of the load cell 742-1 passes throughan opening 746 in the first bottom side rail 702. The sensing portion744 can project past the inner surface 748-1 of the first bottom siderail 702 where it makes contact with the second face 740-1 of the firstL-beam 732. In that way, the second face 740-1 of the first L-beam 732transfers the first lateral force 741-1 to the load cell associated withat least the first bottom side rail.

The load cell 742-1 can be a strain gauge load cell that includes atransducer that creates an electrical signal that is proportional to theforce being measured. The electrical signal from the load cell 742-1 canbe calibrated and standardized to a variety of different predeterminedweight values (e.g., standardized weight values) that could be presentdue to a mass on the floor of the intermodal freight container. The loadcell 742-1 can have a number of different shapes and configurations.Examples include, but are not limited to, a shear beam configuration, acompression load cell or an S-type load cell, among others. In oneembodiment, the compression load cell or the S-type load cell can bemounted inside the first side beam 702 with the sensing portion 744 ofthe load cell 742-1 passing through the opening 746 in the first sidebeam 702.

FIGS. 7A-7C also illustrate an additional embodiment in which the scalefurther includes a second load cell 742-2 associated with the secondbottom side rail 704. As described for the load cell 742-1 associatedwith the first bottom side rail 702, force from the weight of the mass754 on the container floor having the jointed member in the firstpredetermined state is transferred through the third hinge 730, thefirst hinge 720 and the second hinge 728 into a second lateral force741-2, relative the force from the weight of the mass 754. The secondlateral force 741-2 passes through the second member end 724 of thesecond elongate section 722 into the second bottom side rail 704. Thesecond load cell 742-2 provides an electrical signal whose magnitude isrepresentative of the second lateral force 742-2 being imparted by theweight of the mass 754. As discussed herein, the first cross-member(e.g., 608-1 seen in FIG. 6) and the second cross-member (608-2 seen inFIG. 6) help to hold the first bottom side rail 702 and the secondbottom side rail 704 of the intermodal freight container in staticequilibrium against the first lateral force 741-1 and the second lateralforce 741-2 being imparted by the weight of the mass 754.

More than one load cell 742 can be used in measuring the weight of themass inside the intermodal freight container. As illustrated in FIG. 6A,the scale of the present disclosure can have two or more of the jointedmembers. In turn, one or two load cells can be associated with each ofthe joined member. This allows for a situation where the scale caninclude multiple (e.g., three or more) load cells located at differentpositions along the length of the intermodal freight container. The twoor more load cells can be electronically interconnected to sum thereadings to give the total weight of the mass on the container floor. Inaddition, readings can be taken from an individual load cell orcombinations of two or more of the load cells to provide a weightmeasurement of a mass from different portions (e.g., weighing zones) ofthe container floor.

The microprocessor 756 has memory 758, where the memory 758 includesinstructions stored in the memory 758 and executable by themicroprocessor 756. The scale also includes a power source 760 for theoperation of the microprocessor 756 and the load cell(s) 742. The loadcell(s) 742 is(are) electrically coupled to the power source 760 and themicroprocessor 756, where the microprocessor 756 receives and stores inmemory 758 the electrical signals from the load cell indicating theweight of the mass inside of the intermodal freight container. Theweight information in the memory 758 can then be transmitted to acomputing device (e.g., seen in FIG. 12), as discussed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown an embodiment of the jointedmember 812 in the second predetermined state in which the first obroundopening 866 and the second obround opening 870 can have a maximumoverlap relative the minimum overlap (e.g., the first predeterminedstate), as discussed herein. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 thefastener 878 is free to move along the longitudinal axes of the firstobround opening and the second obround opening when the first obroundopening and the second obround opening are in the second predeterminedstate.

In the second predetermined state, FIG. 8 shows the first obroundopening 866 completely overlapping the second obround opening 870. WhileFIG. 8 illustrates a complete overlap of the first obround opening 866and the second obround opening 870 it is intended that the overlap maybe substantially complete, e.g. due to machine tolerances and so forth.This relationship between the first obround opening 866 and secondobround opening 870 may be considered the maximum overlap of the firstobround opening and the second obround opening relative the minimumoverlap, as discussed herein. In other words a value of an area of themaximum overlap cannot be further increased by repositioning either thefirst elongate section or the second elongate section.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exploded view of a reversibly foldable intermodalfreight container 971 according to one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The reversibly foldable intermodal freight container971 includes a floor structure 927, a roof structure 929 opposite thefloor structure 927, a first sidewall structure 931-1 and a secondsidewall structure 931-2, where both the first sidewall structure 931-1and the second sidewall structure 931-2 join the floor structure 927 andthe roof structure 929. Each of the sidewall structures 931-1 and 931-2has an exterior surface and an interior surface, where the interiorsurface of the sidewall structures 931-1 and 931-2, the floor structure927 and the roof structure 929 at least partially defines a volume ofthe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 971.

The first sidewall structure 931-1 includes a first sidewall panel thatis joined to a first upper side rail 933-1 and a first bottom side rail902. The second sidewall structure 931-2 includes a second sidewallpanel that is joined to a second upper side rail 933-2 and the secondbottom side rail 904. The floor structure 927 includes containerflooring 950 that is attached to jointed members 912 according to thepresent disclosure, where a portion of the container flooring 927 hasbeen removed to show the jointed members 912. Each of the jointedmembers 912 is joined to the first bottom side rail 902 and the secondbottom side rail 904 as discussed herein. The bottom side rails 902 and904 can further include forklift pockets.

The reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 971 furtherincludes a rear wall 935 and a front wall 937. Each of the rear wall 935and the front wall 937 include an end frame joined with the roofstructure 929, the floor structure 927 and the sidewall structures 931-1and 931-2. The end frame includes corner posts 943, corner fittings 945,a header 947 and the cross-member 908. In the present embodiment, thecross-member 908 can also be considered to be the sill of the end frame.The end frame for the rear wall 935 is referred to herein as the rearwall end frame 941 and the end frame for the front wall 937 is referredto herein as the front wall end frame 939. The corner posts 943 for therear wall 935 are referred to herein as the rear wall corner posts 943-1and 943-2 and for the front wall 937 are referred to herein as the frontwall corner posts 943-3 and 943-4.

The rear wall 935 includes a door assembly 951. The door assembly 951can include a door 953 attached to the rear wall end frame 941 of therear wall 935 with hinges, which are discussed in a co-pendingapplication entitled “Door Assembly for Freight Container” (WO2013/025667), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The rear wall end frame 941 includes the header 947, which is alsoreferred to as a rear wall header member 997 for the door assembly 951,and the first cross-member 908-1, which can also be referred to as arear wall sill member 999 for the door assembly 951. The rear wallcorner posts 943-1 and 943-2 extend between and couple the firstcross-member 908-1 and the rear wall header member 997.

FIG. 9 provides an embodiment of the door assembly 951 that includes twoof the doors 953, where one of each door 953 is attached by the hingesto one of each of the rear wall corner posts 943-1 and 943-2. Each door953 has a height and a width that allows the door 953 to fit within anarea defined by the rear wall end frame 941. The door 953 can furtherinclude a gasket around a perimeter of the door 953 to help provideweatherproofing on the exterior portion of the rear wall 935. The door953 further includes a locking rod 955 having a cam 957 and a handle959. The locking rod 955 can be mounted to the door 953 with a bearingbracket assembly, where the locking rod 955 turns within and is guidedby the bearing bracket assembly to engage and disengage the cam 957 anda cam keeper 961. The cam keeper 961 is mounted on the rear wall endframe 941. In one embodiment, the cam keeper 961 is mounted on the rearwall header member 997 and the first cross-member 908-1 of the rear wallend frame 941 of the rear wall 935.

The locking rod 955 mounted to the door 953 can move between a firstpredetermined position where the cam 957 is aligned with and can engagethe cam keeper 961, as discussed above, and a second predeterminedposition. In the second predetermined position the cam 957 is disengagedfrom the cam keeper 961 and has a position relative the rear wall endframe 941 that allows the cam 957 and the door 953 to travel through thearea, past the rear wall end frame 941 and the cam keeper 961 of therear wall 935, and into the volume of the reversibly foldable intermodalfreight container 971. In other words, in the second predeterminedposition portions of the locking rod 955 have been moved so as toposition the cam 957 directly adjacent the surface of the door 953 sothat the door 953 can be opened into the volume of the reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 971. Opening the door 953 into thevolume of the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 971 isaccomplished, in addition to having the locking rod 955 in the secondpredetermined position, with the use of the hinge discussed inco-pending application entitled “Door Assembly for Freight Container”(WO 2013/025667), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. These aspects for the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer 971 are also discussed in WO 2013/025676 entitled “Reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container and Method for Positioning Doorsof a Container Inside the Volume of the Container,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The firstpredetermined position is shown in FIG. 9, where the cam 957 and the camkeeper 961 are positioned relative each other so the cam 957 can engageand disengage the cam keeper 961 positioned on the rear wall end frame941.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10C there is shown the front wall 1037 of thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container. The view of the frontwall 1037 illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C is taken along the view lines10-10 shown in FIG. 9. As illustrated, the front wall 1037 includes thefront wall end frame 1039 having the front wall corner posts 1043-3 and1043-4, a front door hinge 10100 on the front wall corner post 1043-3and a front door 10102 joined to the front door hinge 10100. The frontdoor 10102 can pivot on the front door hinge 10100 into the volume ofthe reversibly foldable intermodal freight container and extend adjacentthe interior surface of the sidewall structure.

The front wall end frame 1039 also includes the first cross-member1008-1 and a front wall header member 10106, where the firstcross-member 1008-1 and the front wall header member 10106 extendbetween the front wall corner posts 1043-3 and 1043-4. The firstcross-member 1008-1 is connected to a first of the front wall cornerpost 1043-4 with a sill hinge 10108 that allows at least a portion ofthe first cross-member 1008-1 to fold towards a second of the front wallcorner post 1043-2. Similarly, the front wall header member 10106 isconnected to the second of the front wall corner post 1043-3 with aheader hinge 10110 that allows at least a portion of the front wallheader member 10106 to fold towards the first of the front wall cornerpost 1043-1. This ability of both the front wall header member 10106 andthe first cross-member 1008-1 to fold is illustrated in FIGS. 10B and10C. A pivot pin is used in the header hinge 10110 and the sill hinge10108 to connect and allow for the rotation of the first cross-member1008-1 relative the first of the front wall corner post 1043-1, and thefront wall header member 10106 relative the second of the front wallcorner post 1043-2.

A first of a latch 10112-1 is used to releasably connect the firstcross-member 1008-1 to the first of the front wall corner post 1043-3.Similarly, a second of the latch 10112-2 is used to releasably connectthe front wall header member 10106 to the second of the front wallcorner post 1043-2. When in a locked position, the latch 10112 helps toprevent the first cross-member 1008-1 and the front wall header member10106 from moving relative their respective front wall corner posts1043-3 and 1043-4. When in an unlocked position, the front wall headermember 10106 and the first cross-member 1008-1 can be folded towardstheir respective front wall corner posts 1043-3 and 1043-4 (illustratedin FIGS. 10B and 10C).

For example, the latch 10112-1 and 10112-2 can releasably connect thesestructures via a bolt or a fastener, where the bolt or fastener may beremoved to allow the front wall header member 10106 to pivotsubstantially ninety degrees so that the front wall header member 10106is adjacent (e.g. is substantially parallel to, the front wall cornerpost 1043-3). Likewise, the bolt or fastener that releasably connectsthe first cross-member 1008-1 and the front wall corner post 1043-3 maybe removed to allow the first cross-member 1008-1 to pivot substantiallyninety degrees so that the first cross-member 1008-1 is adjacent (e.g.is substantially parallel to, the front wall corner post 1043-4).

FIGS. 10A-10C show positioning the door 10102 of the front wall 1037 ofa reversibly foldable intermodal freight container so that it can beinside a volume defined by the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer. As discussed herein, positioning the door 10102 of the frontwall 1037 of the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container insidethe volume defined by the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer includes unlocking the door 10102 from the front wall endframe 1039. Once unlocked the door 10102 can pivot on the door hinge10100 so as to position the door 10102 inside the volume defined by thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container. FIG. 10B illustratesthis state. FIG. 10B also shows that once the door 10102 has swung clearof the front wall header member 10106 and the first cross-member 1008-1,these members 10106 and 10104 can be folded towards their respectivefront wall corner post 1043. FIG. 10C illustrates the front wall headermember 10106 and the first cross-member 1008-1 folded relative theirrespective front wall corner post 1043.

Referring now to FIGS. 11A-11D there is shown the rear wall 1135 of thereversibly foldable intermodal freight container 1171 of the presentdisclosure. As illustrated, the rear wall 1135 is joined with the roofstructure 1129, the floor structure 1127 and the sidewall structures1131-1 and 1131-2, where the roof structure 1129, the floor structure1127, the interior surface of the sidewall structures 1131-1 and 1131-2and the rear wall 1135 define a volume of the reversibly foldableintermodal freight container 1171.

As illustrated, the rear wall 1135 includes rear wall corner posts1143-1 and 1143-2 and hinges on the rear wall corner posts 1143-1 and1143-2 and a rear wall door 1153 joined to the hinge. FIGS. 11A-11D showthe hinge un-locked to the rear wall corner post in the secondpredetermined position so that the rear wall door 1153 can pivot intothe volume of the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 1171and extend adjacent the interior surface of the sidewall structures1131-1 and 1131-2.

FIG. 11A shows the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 1171in an unfolded state having a defined maximum width measured at apredetermined point on each of two of the rear wall corner posts 1143-1and 1143-2. Specifically, the predetermined points on each of two of therear wall corner posts 1143-1 and 1143-2 are defined by an externalsurface of the corner fittings 1145-1 and 1145-2 as provided in ISO 668Fifth Edition 1995 Dec. 15. For the various embodiments, in the unfoldedstate the defined maximum width of the reversibly foldable intermodalfreight container 1171 is eight (8) feet as provided in ISO 668 FifthEdition 1995 Dec. 15.

The rear wall 1135 includes a rear wall end frame 1141 having two of therear wall corner posts 1143-1 and 1143-1, the first cross-member 1108-1and a rear wall header member 1147. The first cross-member 1108-1 andthe rear wall header member 1147 extend between the two of the rear wallcorner posts 1143-1 and 1143-1. The first cross-member 1108-1 isconnected to a first of the rear wall corner post 1143-1 with a sillhinge 11108 that allows at least a portion of the first cross-member1108-1 to fold towards the first of the rear wall corner post 1143-1.The rear wall header member 1147 is connected to a second of the rearwall corner post 1143-2 with a header hinge 11110 that allows at least aportion of the rear wall header member 1147 to fold towards the secondof the rear wall corner post 1143-2.

This ability of both the rear wall header member 1147 and the firstcross-member 1108-1 to fold is illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. A pivotpin is used in the header hinge 11110 and the sill hinge 11108 toconnect and allow for the rotation of the first cross-member 1108-1relative the first of the rear wall corner post 1143-1, and the rearwall header member 1147 relative the second of the rear wall corner post1143-2.

A first of a latch 11112-1 is used to releasably hold the firstcross-member 1108-1 to the second of the front wall corner post 1143-2.Similarly, a second of the latch 11112-2 is used to releasably hold therear wall header member 1147 to the first of the rear wall corner post1143-1. When in a locked position, the latch 11112-1 and 11112-2 helpsto prevent the first cross-member 1108-1 and the rear wall header member1147 from moving relative their respective rear wall corner posts 1143-1and 1143-2. When in an unlocked position, the rear wall header member1147 and the first cross-member 1108-1 can be folded towards theirrespective rear wall corner post 1143-1 and 1143-2 (illustrated in FIGS.11A and 11B). Embodiments of the door hinges, the latch 11112 and therear wall 1135 can be found in WO 2015/127236 entitled “Corner Fitting,Rear Corner Post and Rear Wall Therewith, Front Corner Post and FrontWall Therewith for A Freight Container” and published on 27 Aug. 2015,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

The roof structure 1129 may include a first roof panel section 11114, asecond roof panel section 11116, and a third roof panel section 11118.The roof structure 1129 is reversibly foldable. For example, as thejoined members fold into the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer 1171, the roof panel sections 11114, 11116, 11118 may alsofold into the reversibly foldable intermodal freight container 1171. Theroof structure 1129 may be connected by one or more hinges to the firstupper side rail 1133-1 and the second upper side rail 1133-2.

The third roof panel section 11118 can be positioned between the firstroof panel section 11114 and the second roof panel section 11116. Thethird roof panel section 11118 is connected to the first roof panelsection 11114 and the second roof panel section 11116 by one or morehinges. For one or more embodiments, the one or more hinges can be aflexure bearing (e.g. a living hinge) that extends along a longitudinalaxis of the roof structure.

In the unfolded state, each of the roof panel sections 11114, 11116,11118 may be substantially parallel to one another (e.g. each roof panelsection may be substantially parallel to the jointed members in thefirst predetermined state). In the unfolded state the roof may bereferred to as flat. In the second predetermined state, roof panelsections 11114, 11116 may be substantially parallel to one another,while each of the roof panel sections 11114, 11116 is substantiallyperpendicular to the roof panel section 11118. In the secondpredetermined state, the roof may be referred to as a partial rectangle.

For one or more embodiments, the reversibly foldable intermodal freightcontainer include container flooring 1150. The container flooring 1150may include a first floor section 1150-1 and a second floor section1150-2. The container flooring 1150 may be connected to a number theplurality of jointed members (e.g. adjacent the first bottom side rail1131-1 and/or the second bottom side rail 1131-2). The reversiblyfoldable intermodal freight container 1171 also includes forkliftpockets 11118. The forklift pockets 11118 may each be a respectiveopening in the first and second bottom side rails 1102 and 1104.

The parts of the intermodal freight container of the present disclosurecan be made of a variety of materials. Such materials include, but arenot limited to, a metal or a metal alloy. Examples of metal include, butare not limited to, steel such as ‘weathering steel’ specified withinstandard BS EN 10025-5:2004, which is also known as CORTEN steel. Otherexamples include, but are not limited to, corrosion resistant alloysformed from mixtures of various metals such as stainless steel, chrome,nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten and/or titanium.Combined, these metals can resist corrosion more effectively thanstandard carbon steel.

FIG. 12 provides an illustration of the controller 12150 for the scaleof the present disclosure. The controller 12150 can be located, forexample, within the side rail in a secure location accessible only whenthe container is empty. The controller 12150 includes the microprocessor1256 with memory 1258, as previously discussed. Instructions forreceiving, processing and providing outputs from the controller 12150 ofthe scale are stored in the memory 1258 and executable by themicroprocessor 1256. The memory 1258 can be any type of storage mediumthat can be accessed by the microprocessor 1256 to perform variousexamples of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 1258 can bea non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readableinstructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon thatare executable by the microprocessor 1256 to receive electrical signalsfrom one or more of the load cells 1242 and convert the electricalsignals to a weight value for mass positioned on the container flooringof the intermodal freight container in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

The memory 1258 can be volatile or nonvolatile memory. The memory 1258can also be removable (e.g., portable) memory, or non-removable (e.g.,internal) memory. For example, the memory 1258 can be random accessmemory (RAM) (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or phasechange random access memory (PCRAM)), read-only memory (ROM) (e.g.,electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and/orcompact-disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)), flash memory, a laser disc, adigital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disk storage, and/or amagnetic medium such as magnetic cassettes, tapes, or disks, among othertypes of memory.

Further, although the memory 1258 is illustrated as being located in thecontroller 12150, embodiments of the present disclosure are not solimited. For example, the memory 1258 can also be located internal toanother computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readableinstructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired orwireless connection).

The controller 12150 can further include the power source 1260 for theoperation of the microprocessor 1256, memory 1258 and the load cell1242, among other components. The power source 1260 can be an electricbattery consisting of one or more electrochemical cells with externalconnections provided to power the microprocessor 1256, memory 1258 andthe load cell(s) 1242, among other components. The electric battery canbe either a single use battery or a rechargeable battery. Other powersources are possible, including solar power sources and/or alternatingcurrent sources.

The microprocessor 1256 receives and stores in memory 1258 electricalsignals from the load cell 1242 indicating the weight of the mass insideof the intermodal freight container. Embodiments of the load cell 1242have been described herein. As discussed, the load cells 1242 arelocated and joined to one or both of the bottom side rails (e.g., 202and/or 204 of FIG. 2 or 702 and/or 704 of FIG. 7) and optionally withthe jointed member and/or container flooring. The scale can includedifferent configurations of the load cells along the longitudinal lengthof the bottom side rails. Such configurations of the load cells 1242 canallow for weighing zones to be defined in predefined areas of thecontainer flooring. For example, electrical signals generated from twoor more load cells adjacent to a predefined area of the containerflooring can be integrated by the microprocessor 1256 to provide aweight value for the mass present in the predefined area of the weighingzone. Two or more weighting zones can be present along the containerflooring, where each zone includes one or more of the jointed membersand associated load cell(s) 1242.

The container flooring in each weighing zone can also be isolated fromeach adjacent weighting zone. For example, the container flooring andassociated joined member(s) for each weighing zone can be physicallyseparated from the container flooring and associated joined member(s) ofeach adjacent weighing zone. This allows each weighing zone to moveindependently from the other weighing zones.

The controller 12150 also includes a communication link 12160. Thecommunication link 12160 can interface with a computing device 12170.Examples of the computing device 12170 include, but are not limited to,a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, etc.), among othertypes of computing devices. The display 12172 of the computing device12170 can be a user interface (e.g., screen) that can provide (e.g.,display and/or present) information to a user of the computing device12170. Such information can include data regarding the weight of themass inside the intermodal freight container measured by the scale ofthe present disclosure, the weight of mass in different weighing zonesand/or other properties recorded and stored in memory 1258.

The computing device 12170 can receive information from the user of thedisplay 12172 through an interaction with the user via the display12172. For example, the computing device 12170 can receive input fromthe user via the display 12172. The user can enter inputs into computingdevice 12172 using, for instance, a mouse and/or keyboard associatedwith computing device 12170, or by touching the display 12172 inembodiments in which the display 12172 includes touch-screencapabilities (e.g., embodiments in which the display 12172 is a touchscreen). The display 12172 can also be used to provide programming tothe controller 12150, where such programming can include the defining ofweighting zones, activate or deactivate load cells and/or other sensorsas discussed herein, among other things.

The communication link 12160 of the controller 12150 can be electricallycoupled to the computing device 12170 via wired or wirelesstechnologies. For example, the communication link 12160 is incommunication with the microprocessor 1256 via which controller 12150communicates (e.g., exchange symbols or signals representing data orinformation) with other computing devices, data stores, securitytargets, and/or services via, for example, a communications link (e.g.,a wired communications link, optical communications link, or wirelesscommunications link). In one embodiment, the communication link 12160can be a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the microprocessor1256 and the power source 1260, where the wireless transmitter transmitsan output signal indicating the weight of the mass inside the intermodalfreight container. The wireless transmitter can transmit standard basedtransmissions compliant with IEEE 802.11, 380.11, 380.15 and/or380.15.4. Communication link 12160 can also include hardware (e.g.,pins, connectors, or integrated circuits) and software (e.g., drivers orcommunications stacks). For example, communication link 12160 canimplement an electrical communications interface, an opticalcommunications interface, a wireless communications interface, anEthernet interface, a Fiber Channel interface, an InfiniBand interface,or another communications interface.

The following are other sensors and devices for use with the controller12150. These can include, but are not limited to an accelerometer 12180coupled to the power source 1260 and where the microprocessor 1256receives and stores in memory 1258 the electrical signal from theaccelerometer 12180 representative of acceleration of the intermodalfreight container. The controller 12150 can also include a transceiver12184 (e.g., a GPS module) operatively coupled to the microprocessor1256, where the transceiver can receive signals from which ageographical location of the intermodal freight container can bedetermined and stored in the memory. The transceiver 12184 can also beused to transmit a warning signal if the weight of the mass on thecontainer floor changes by a predetermined amount. The memory 1258 canalso be programmed to operate the controller 12150 in a continuous or anintermittent fashion.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anarrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coveradaptations or variations of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments ofthe present disclosure includes other applications in which the abovestructures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of variousembodiments of the present disclosure should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the presentdisclosure have to use more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus,the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

1. An intermodal freight container including a scale for measuring aweight of a mass inside of an intermodal freight container, comprising:a first bottom side rail of the intermodal freight container and asecond bottom side rail of the intermodal freight container, each of thefirst bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail having alongitudinal axis parallel to each other; a first cross-member and asecond cross-member, wherein the first cross-member and the secondcross-member join the first bottom side rail and the second bottom siderail of the intermodal freight container; a jointed member positionedlongitudinally between the first cross-member and the secondcross-member and laterally, relative the longitudinal axis, between thefirst bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail, the jointedmember having: a first elongate section having a first member end and asecond member end, wherein the first member end is joined to firstbottom side rail with a first hinge, wherein the first hinge has a fixedaxis of rotation relative to and parallel with the longitudinal axis ofthe first bottom side rail; a second elongate section having a firstmember end and a second member end, wherein the first member end isjoined to second bottom side rail with a second hinge, wherein thesecond hinge has a fixed axis of rotation that is co-planar with thefixed axis of rotation of the first hinge and parallel with thelongitudinal axes of the first bottom side rail and the second bottomside rail; and a third hinge that connects the second member end of thefirst elongate section and the second member end of the second elongatesection, wherein the third hinge has an axis of rotation that isparallel with the fixed axis of rotation of the first hinge and thefixed axis of rotation of the second hinge; a load cell associated withthe first bottom side rail; a container floor positioned over thejointed member to allow force from a weight of a mass on the containerfloor having the jointed member in the first predetermined state to betransferred through the third hinge, the first hinge and the secondhinge into a first lateral force, relative the force from the weight ofthe mass, through the first member end of the first elongate sectioninto the first bottom side rail, wherein the load cell provides anelectrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the first lateralforce being imparted by the weight of the mass, where the firstcross-member and the second cross-member help to hold the first bottomside rail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodal freightcontainer in static equilibrium against the first lateral force beingimparted by the weight of the mass; and a controller having amicroprocessor and memory, instructions stored in the memory andexecutable by the microprocessor, and a power source for the operationof the microprocessor and the load cell, wherein the microprocessorreceives and stores in memory the electrical signal from the load cellindicating the weight of the mass inside of the intermodal freightcontainer.
 2. The intermodal freight container of claim 1, wherein thefirst member end include a first L-beam and the first member end of thesecond elongate section includes a second L-beam, the first L-beam andthe second L-beam extending parallel with the first bottom side rail andthe second bottom side rail, and wherein the first hinge joins the firstmember end of the first elongate section along a first face of the firstL-beam to the first bottom side rail and the second hinge joins thefirst member end of the second elongate section along a first face ofthe second L-beam to the second bottom side rail.
 3. The intermodalfreight container of claim 2, wherein a second face of the first L-beamtransfers the first lateral force to the load cell associated with atleast the first bottom side rail.
 4. The intermodal freight container ofclaim 1, wherein the load cell is contained within the first bottom siderail of the container.
 5. The intermodal freight container of claim 1,further including a second load cell associated with the second bottomside rail, wherein force from the weight of the mass on the containerfloor having the jointed member in the first predetermined state istransferred through the third hinge, the first hinge and the secondhinge into a second lateral force, relative the force from the weight ofthe mass, through the second member end of the second elongate sectioninto the second bottom side rail, wherein the second load cell providesan electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the secondlateral force being imparted by the weight of the mass, where the firstcross-member and the second cross-member help to hold the first bottomside rail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodal freightcontainer in static equilibrium against the second lateral force beingimparted by the weight of the mass; and wherein the power source allowsfor the operation of the microprocessor and the second load cell, andwherein the microprocessor receives and stores in memory the electricalsignal from the second load cell indicating the weight of the massinside of the intermodal freight container.
 6. (canceled)
 7. Theintermodal freight container of claim 1, wherein the first elongatesection further includes a first abutment member opposite the firstmember end, and the second elongate section further includes a secondabutment member opposite the second member end, where in the firstpredetermined state the first abutment member and the second abutmentare in physical contact and a portion of the first surface and a portionof the second surface are in physical contact with the fastener totransfer the force from the weight of the mass on the container floorhaving the jointed member in the first predetermined state through thefirst hinge, the second hinge and the fastener into the first lateralforce.
 8. The intermodal freight container of claim 7, wherein the firstabutment member and the second abutment member form an abutment joint,wherein: the first abutment member has a projection that extends fromfirst abutment member shoulders of the first abutment member, theprojection having a distal end from which a first surface and a secondsurface extend towards the first abutment member shoulders at an acuteangle; and wherein the second abutment member has a socket into whichthe projection of the first abutment member releasably seats, the sockethaving a first surface and a second surface that extend away from afirst end of the second abutment member at an acute angle and the firstend of the second abutment member includes second abutment membershoulders that extends from the socket such that when the projection ofthe first abutment member seats in the socket of the second abutmentmember the second surface of the projection and the second surface ofthe socket touch, and the second abutment member shoulders and the firstabutment member shoulders touch.
 9. The intermodal freight container ofclaim 1, wherein an upper surface of the first cross-member and thesecond cross-member that is closest to the container flooring is locatedat a vertical position on the first bottom side rail and the secondbottom side rail that is offset from an upper surface of the firstelongate section and the second elongate section.
 10. The intermodalfreight container of claim 1, wherein the container floor does notcontact the first cross-member and the second cross-member joining thefirst bottom side rail and the second bottom side rail of the intermodalfreight container.
 11. The intermodal freight container of claim 1,wherein the first cross-member and the second cross-member are notjoined to a hinge or form a part of the hinge with the first bottom siderail and the second bottom side rail, respectively, of the intermodalfreight container. 12.-13. (canceled)
 14. The scale of claim 1, whereinthe first obround opening and the second obround opening move relativeeach other and the fastener as the jointed member transitions from thefirst predetermined state having a minimum overlap of the first obroundopening and the second obround opening and the projection of the firstabutment member seated in socket of the second abutment member towardsthe second predetermined state having a maximum overlap of the firstobround opening and the second obround opening relative the minimumoverlap and the projection of the first abutment member un-seated fromthe socket of the second abutment member.
 15. The intermodal freightcontainer of claim 14, wherein in the first predetermined state adistance between the first member end of the first elongate section andthe second member end of the second elongate section provides a definedmaximum length of the jointed member, wherein the distance between thefirst member end of the first elongate section and the second member endof the second elongate section does not exceed a defined maximum lengthas jointed member transitions from the first predetermined state towardsthe second predetermined state.
 16. The intermodal freight container ofclaim 15, wherein the first abutment member and the second abutmentmember define a first point of rotation for the first elongate sectionand the second elongate section; and a second end of both the firstsurface and the second surface, when positioned against the fastener,define a second point of rotation for the first abutment member and thesecond abutment member that is different than the first point ofrotation, wherein the first elongate section and the second elongatesection turn on the first point of rotation prior to turning on thesecond point of rotation as the jointed member transitions from thefirst predetermined state towards the second predetermined state. 17.The intermodal freight container of claim 15, wherein a first end ofeach of the first surface and the second surface does not contact thefastener when the second end of both the first surface and the secondsurface are seated against the fastener. 18.-19. (canceled)
 20. Theintermodal freight container of claim 1, further including anaccelerometer coupled to the power source and where the microprocessorreceives and stores in memory the electrical signal from theaccelerometer representative of acceleration of the intermodal freightcontainer.
 21. The intermodal freight container of claim 1, furtherincluding a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to themicroprocessor and the power source, where the wireless transmittertransmits an output signal indicating the weight of the mass inside theintermodal freight container.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The intermodal freightcontainer of claim 1, wherein the power source is a rechargeablebattery.
 24. The intermodal freight container of claim 1, furtherincluding a transceiver operatively coupled to the microprocessor, wherethe transceiver can receive signals from which a geographical locationof the intermodal freight container is determined and stored in thememory.
 25. The intermodal freight container of claim 24, where thetransceiver can transmit a warning signal if the weight of the mass onthe container floor changes by a predetermined amount.
 26. (canceled)27. The intermodal freight container of claim 1, wherein the intermodalfreight container is a reversibly foldable intermodal freight containerincluding the scale of claim 1.